Steelers Win Home Opener

The Sault Steelers made a statement on Saturday evening. Unfortunately for the Markham Raiders, it was at their expense.

The Steelers used an early touchdown run by Keegan Franklin in the game’s opening minutes and never looked back as they rolled to a 64-7 Northern Football Conference win over the Raiders.

The win, which improves the Steelers record to 1-1 after a 20-6 loss at the hands of the perennial champion Oakville Longhorns, was an improvement over their week one loss in Oakville.

The running game for the Steelers was important in the win as running back Josh Gautier along with Franklin and Toby Traveson allowed the Steelers to use any of the three at key points during their scoring drives.

The three combined to run for 163 yards on 19 carries—for an average of 8.5 yards per carry—along with five touchdowns, three by Gauthier and two by Franklin. One of Gauthier’s touchdown’s came off of the opening kickoff of the second half where he turned the kick into a 90-yard touchdown run. Steve Roberts added an 18-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter.

Quarterback Rob Filmore also scored for the Steelers with a touchdown run early in the second quarter. Tim Higgins also added a touchdown on a 34-yard pass from Filmore.

Anthony Posteraro, who kicked all eight converts, also kicked two field goals for the Steelers.

Through the air the Steelers were led by Higgins who picked up 44 yards on two catches, while Larry Clemons picked up 29 yards on two catches. Veteran Steeler Matti Tucker picked up 18 yards receiving on two receptions as well.

Adrian Thorne was the key to the Raider offence picking up 61 yards on five rushes to go along with 64 receiving yards on two catches, which included a touchdown catch.

The game was not without it’s chare of penalties as the game proceeded to rough late with the game out of hand. In total, 215 yards in penalties were handed out, 75 to the Steelers and 140 to the Raiders.

Steelers coach Barry Rushon was very pleased with the improvement of his team over last week’s loss.

“I thought we improved a lot (over last week’s loss in Oakville),” Rushon said. “Our special teams improved. We now know that we still have to work hard, we have to learn. It was nice to spread the scoring around.”

“We’re not a team you can make mistakes against,” Rushon added.

Rushon added that he was pleased that he had the opportunity to get a number of players into the game, especially a home game. The opportunity arose to get some major minutes out of players who normally would not play those minutes.

Rushon also praised the play of running back Josh Gauthier, who had a strong game in the win, picking up key yards and chipping in with a trio of touchdowns.

“(Gauthier) brings another dimension (to our team),” Rushon said. “It gives our other two backs (Franklin and Traveson) a break so they can stay healthy.”

The Steelers now head back on the road for a tough matchup against the North Bay Bulldogs next Saturday before having a bye week. The Steelers next home action will be on July 3 against those same North Bay Bulldogs.