In 2009, the Toronto Trojans had a roller coaster season, transforming promise into production before ending with disappointment. In mid-season at the Ottawa stop last year, the Trojans earned their first Trillium title at the elite level and followed up with a championship loss at the next one in Unionville.

Oozing with a killer mix of talent and swagger, it was surprising to see them fizzle out in such an anticlimactic fashion at the Provincials and Nationals.

Adding more firepower to an already lethal arsenal for 2010 paid off early for the Trojans, as they opened the Trillium Tour with answers to their previously poor finish by not only winning their second ever elite title, but by defeating their nemesis that ended things for them last year.

At the Canadian championships six months earlier, the now three time elite Canadian champion Burlington Spartans, as they have often done, sent the Trojans packing with a 24 to 6 semi-final humbling. The Spartans, seemingly, have long been a mental block for the Trojans, until this year’s Early Bird.

At last month’s Trillium Tour opener, the Trojans posted a perfect 6 and 0 record, including a 31 to 14 one-sided championship victory over the Spartans to win the title and climb three spots to sit second in the province. Congratulations guys!

Quarter-Finals

Burlington Spartans 38 vs Scar Steelers 8

Hamilton Piranhas 31 vs Miss Rebels 0

Toronto Trojans 23 vs Mtl Maroons 13

Kitchener Gaels 20 vs Ottawa Capitals 14

Semi-Finals

Burl Spartans 22 vs Kitch Gaels 17

Toronto Trojans 20 vs Ham Piranhas 7

Finals

Toronto Trojans 31 vs Burl Spartans 14

Despite sitting in the fourth spot of Ontario’s rankings and acquiring the services of a multiple elite champion qb, there’s been little buzz surrounding the Ottawa Capitals this season.  Surely that has changed after their spirited performance at the Early Bird. Despite a short bench and a host of injuries, the Capitals were a force all weekend.

A close quarter-final defeat to the Kitchener Gaels on the elite side was the only blemish for the Capitals, who dominated their way to the championship in the A division against the Montreal Maroons, a team making their return to action after a one year hiatus.

The Maroons and Capitals, both sporting low numbers, played to an evenly matched exciting finish. The Capitals, trailing by a point late in the game, marched the ball in the final minutes to eventually score on the last play of the game, sealing the victory and the A title. Congratulations Caps!

Quarter-Finals

Ottawa Capitals 34 vs Toronto Dirrty Birdz 14

Mtl Maroons 26 vs Mtl Hitmen 7

Hamilton Chargers 21 vs Miss Rebels 19

Ham Dolphins 29 vs Scar Steelers 28

Semi-Finals

Ottawa Capitals 32 vs Hamilton Dolphins 8

Mtl Maroons 25 vs Hamilton Chargers 27

Finals

Ottawa Capitals 34 vs Mtl Maroons 28

The St Catherine’s Grasshoppers sent a strong message at the Early Bird that their last place ranking in tier two has no bearing on what they’re capable of. Compiling a perfect round-robin result, the Grasshoppers were doubled by the Toronto Dirrty Birdz in preliminary play-offs, sending them to the BB end of things where they cleaned up.

In their three play-off contests, the Grasshoppers accumulated a staggering 119 offensive points, allowing only 24 against. It’s not like the Grasshoppers had an easy go of things either, as in their path were multiple time championship veterans, the Cobras and London Colts.

Congratulations on a great start Grasshoppers, we can’t wait to see more of you guys!

Quarter-Finals

St Cat’s Grasshoppers 37 vs Burl Squires 0

Miss Enforcers 19 vs Toronto X-Men 15

London Colts 34 vs Kitch Stampeders 0

S.O. Cobras 20 vs London F.C. Fury 8

Semi-Finals

St  Cat’s Grasshoppers 42 vs S.O. Cobras 6

London Colts 28 vs Miss Enforcers 26

Finals

St Cat’s Grasshoppers 40 vs London Colts 18

After an 0-2 Early Bird start, the Mississauga Gridiron found some luck in the B division. Still struggling to find the endzone, it was the Gridiron defence that prevented them from an 0-3 start. In fact, the Gridiron defence would be responsible for consecutive victories, allowing the team to compete for the title, holding quarter- and semi-final opponents to 13 combine points.

In their championship game, the Gridiron’s offense finally came to life. The timing couldn’t have been better as their defence started showing signs of fatigue, allowing 23 points against. Luckily, their “O” scored one point more than that, allowing them to squeak out the Early Bird title. Congratulations guys!

Quarter-Finals

T.O. Hustlin Owls 13 vs T.O. Hurricanes 8

St Cat’s Hellcats 21 vs Killer Beezzz 0

Mississauga Gridiron 7 vs Ham Hogz 6

Osh Buckeyes 25 vs Hamilton Dynasty 14

Semi-Finals

Osh Buckeyes 13 vs T.O. Hustlin’ Owls 7

Miss Gridiron 24 vs Osh Buckeyes 23

Finals

Miss Gridiron 24 vs Osh Buckeyes 23

The Toronto Wolverines finally broke beyond their “up-and-coming” moniker at this year’s Early Bird. The Ottawa Devils had ruled the women’s division undefeated for the better part of three seasons, however, the Wolverines were always one of the teams giving them headaches.

Despite their competitive play with the best team in the country, earning several elite championship game appearances over the years, the Wolverines were never able to claim the coveted AA title, until now.

In round-robin play, the Wolverines opened their 2010 season with a convincing 20 to 6 win over the Toronto Shock. Their second game was against the aforementioned Devils, who were without their gifted quarterback due to illness. An opportunity to finally defeat their nemesis was squandered in a disappointing 8 to 6 defeat.

The Wolverines rebounded significantly in play-off action, defeating the Toronto Rebels and Rockets consecutively before advancing to face the Devils once again. The stakes were higher this time around, however, as the elite title was on the line, and that gifted Devils quarterback we talked about earlier was suiting up.

As expected, more points were scored in this game, though it was still a defensive-oriented contest with an even closer result. In spite of greater opposition, the Wolverines, rather than cowering under pressure, displayed the attributes of champions as they stepped up their play to outscore their rivals and hold off a late surge to earn their very first elite crown.

Congratulations on your long sought after achievement Wolverines, and the exclusive status it signifies!

Quarter-Finals

Ott Devils 18 vs Ott Fury 0

T.O. Rockets 20 vs Scar Raiders 14

T.O. Wolverines 13 vs T.O. Rebels 12

T.O. Shock 20 vs Landell Lightning 13

Semi-Finals

Ottawa Devils 21 vs Toronto Shock 13

Toronto Wolverines 21 vs Toronto Rockets

Finals

Toronto Wolverines 13 vs Ott Devils 12

The Toronto Wolverines and Rebels faced off twice in Unionville, once in round-robin and again in the A finals. The first match saw the Wolverines edge out the higher ranked Rebels 15 to 12.

Both teams dropped AA preliminary contests, slipping into the A semi’s where they earned victories to advance and face off in the finals.

The game’s final score was near identical to their round-robin result, however, the Rebels would be the ones edging out the Wolverines this time, earning their first title of the year, congratulations ladies!

Semi-Finals

Landell Lightning 24 vs Ott Fury 7

T.O. Rebels 21 vs Scar Raiders 0

Finals

Landell Lightning 18 vs T.O. Rebels 6

Aside from an 18 to 0 preliminary victory over the Hamilton Shockers, the Burlington Enemy were defensive specialists all weekend. Over their perfect 5-0 tournament, the Enemy didn’t allow a single point to be scored against them.

Struggling offensively, their games were so close at times that a 2 point safety touch against the Toronto Jaguars in the semi-finals was enough to advance them to the finals. There, they earned a 6 to 0 decision over the Landell Thunder to capture the BB title. Congratulations ladies!

Semi-Final

Landell Thunder 17 vs Ottawa Pirates 1

Bur Enemy 2 vs Toronto Jaguars 0

Finals

Burl Enemy 6 vs Landell Thunder 0

Aside from a round-robin 14 to 1 defeat at the hands of the Ottawa Pirates, the Toronto Assassins only allowed 2 points to be scored them.

With strong defensive play, the Assassins only needed to muster a little offense to climb into title contention. Averaging just over two touchdowns a game, the Assassins scored more than enough to earn the B championship. Congratulations ladies!

Quarter-Finals

Toronto Assassins 18 vs Hamilton Wildcats 0

Toronto Mavericks 19 vs B.D.C. Spartans 0

Semi-Finals

Toronto Assassins 19 vs Hamilton Shockers 2

Toronto Mavericks 12 vs Toronto Venom 7

Finals

Toronto Assassins 14 vs Toronto Mavericks 0

Splitting their round-robin contests with polar opposite results, the Burlington Gators found their consistency in play-off contests. Outscoring the Mississauga Punishers, the Gators advanced to the CC finals where they faced the newly formed Hamilton Boilermakers.

Fortunately for the Gators, the talent-laden Boilermakers were also struggling with consistency. Coupled with the growing pains of a new squad, the Boilermakers couldn’t stop the offensive onslaught of their opponents, as the Gators earned a convincing 32 to 19 decision, and the CC title. Congratulations guys!

Semi-Finals

Ham Boilermakers 21 vs Burl Renegades 14

Burl Gators 26 vs Miss Punishers 17

Finals

Burl Gators 32 vs Ham Boilermakers 19

Veteran Tour competitors, Burlington’s Fox 40 whistlers, opened their season with an 0-2 round-robin result. Despite having to play in an 8:30 am quarter-final contest, the Whistlers rebounded with their best game of the tournament, defeating the Mississauga Wolverines in a convincing 32 to 6 fashion.
Posting another impressive result in the semi’s, the Whistlers topped their quarter-final performance in the championship, outscoring the Markham Mustangs 34 to 6 to take the title. Congratulations guys!

Quarter-Finals

Ham Broncos 18 vs Ott Boilermakers 12

Burl Fox 40 32 vs Miss Wolverines 6

Markham Mustangs 21 vs Toronto Lancers 0

Burl Mandingos 26 vs Kitch Waterloo Stingers 12

Semi-Finals

Burl Fox 40 21 vs Ham Broncos 6

Markham Mustangs 13 vs Burl Mandingos 7

Finals

Burl Fox 40 vs Markham Mustangs 6