The day will come when opponents will realize that it's not wise to discount a core of talent with the Sudbury Jr Spartans until the final whistle has sounded.
In the summer of 2022, the U16 version of the local youth summer football squad pulled an OSFL (Ontario Football League Championship out of the fire with same late game heroics, edging the Vaughan Rebels 26-25 in the league final.
While there was not nearly as much on the line Saturday night at the James Jerome Sports Complex, the 2024 U18 Jr Spartans, home to a good number of players who were part of the memorable 2022 team, did it all over again - in much more dramatic fashion.
A back and forth and extremely feisty affair with the visiting Sault Ste Marie Sabercats featured plenty of twists and turns - and needless penalties and big plays.
An 18-14 halftime lead for the locals fell by the wayside quickly in quarter three when Nathan Guizetti sprinted 70 yards to restore the advantage for the Cats.
The tone was set for the second half as Sudbury answered with a FG and a major (28-22), SSM responded with a TD midway through the Q4 (29-28) and the Spartans nailed their third field goal of the game a bit later (31-29 - Sudbury).
With under a minute to play and the game in their hands, the Sudbury defense were challenged to contain their emotions, with a series of penalties opening the door to a Sault Ste Marie three pointer with 2.8 seconds showing on the clock.
The ensuing Sabercats sideline festivities would prove costly as the customary excessive celebration infraction was signalled, giving the Jr Spartans one final crack from their own 45 on the last play of the game.
Choosing the rush just three linemen, the Lock City reps allowed the Sudbury QB all sorts of time to move around, time that Steven Sola would use wisely. Sailing a rifle downfield in the direction of Jaeden Dulaney, the Spartans tandem connected on a tipped ball at the 15 yard line, with Dulaney tight-roping the sidelines on his way to tne end zone and a game-winning score.
"It was one of the most electrifying plays I have ever seen," noted Sudbury head coach Alex Vendramin.
In a game that featured Sudbury touchdowns from Carter Sagle, Braeden Beggs, Quin Mazzuchin and Jaeden Dulaney and three field goals and a sensational interception from Paolo Grossi, Vendramin had both good and bad to contemplate, post-game.
"I was most pleased with our team's desire to win and keep working hard," he said. "No matter the situation - the down, the distance, the score, the time on the clock - the Spartans would not quit."
"It was awesome to see our offense clicking and putting points up on the board to support the defense," Vendramin added. "I was not pleased with the penalties throughout the game - and with myself for a couple of decisions that were made."
"We need to be more disciplined."
In addition to the kudos for Sola and Dulaney, Vendramin highlighted the defensive effort of linebackers Michael McKernan and Chris Dore, clogging up the middle of the field, as well as defensive back Quentin Harris.
Sola would finish the contest with 18 completions on 26 passing attempts for 277 yards (in addition to rushing for 53 yards), his favourite targets the usual suspects of: Quin Mazzuchin (7/125), Carter Sagle (4/67), Zidain Allen (3/50 - also 71 yards on 17 carries in the backfield) and of course the 65 yard game winner to Dulaney.
The Jr Spartans kick off a stretch of three straight road games this weekend, facing the Clarington Knights at Clarington Fields on Saturday.
