Vanier successfully tackles Bol d'Or
While many Montreal football fans were disappointed at the recent attempt by the Montreal Alouettes to win the coveted Grey Cup, many local supporters of the Vanier College AAA Cheetahs are still cheering about a win they have not seen since 1991.
In a decisive victory, the Vanier Football Cheetahs ended their 15 year drought by bringing home the Bol d'Or Provincial Championship in an exciting game held in front of a packed house of over 1,000 fans at Stade Diablos in Trois-Rivières. The final score was 14-0.
Vanier's win broke a four game losing streak in the Bol d'Or final dating back to 1997 and it was their first victory over the Champlain-Lennoxville Cougars in the title game in six attempts. Former Head Coach Ray Gagnon, who was with the team from 1996 to 2003, expressed his pride at the long awaited win.
Game Over
Vanier's defense was even stingier than usual. Players were able to hold off their opponents, keeping their offense to minimal momentum and their score at zero points. By the time the Cheetahs' offense really started rolling in the second half, it was game over.
Both teams seemed a little jittery in a first half dominated by penalties and turnovers. "I thought Champlain played with more energy in the first half," said Coach Peter Chryssomalis.
"At half time, I challenged our guys to come out and play with more energy and they did. Once the team found their drive, the result was a foregone conclusion. The championship was ours."
Top players
Quarterback and offensive player of the game Liam Mahoney accounted for all of the Cheetahs' points which came in the third half. He made one of his patented scrambles to run in the ball from the 10-yard line for the first touchdown and then tossed the clincher to Michael Alfonso to seal the Cougars' fate.
Vanier's defensive line totally dominated the second half, led by Ameet Pall and Hassan Hazime. With a game high nine tackles, Pall was named defensive player of the match.
"At half time, I challenged our guys to come out and play with more energy and they did. Once the team found their drive, the result was a foregone conclusion. The championship was ours."
- Coach Peter Chryssomalis
Météo: Montréal, 8 août 2008 / 19°C
/ Faibles averses de pluie
/ Vents: 6 Km/h / Humidité relative: 83 % 
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