Blessed with a number of sure-handed receivers, the Bishop Carter Gators were showcasing their catching skills on both sides of the ball on Monday, opening defense of the SDSSAA Flag Football Division A championship with a 20-0 win over the Horizon Aigles.

In addition to being able to help march the ball downfield, partly through the air in setting up three touchdowns for veteran speedster Kynlee Cresswell, the Gators also hauled in no less than five interceptions on the day, including a pair from Cameron O'Daiskey.

"We spend a lot of time on footwork and learning how to stay man on man with our receiver - which really helped me this game," said the 16 year-old grade 12 senior who will celebrate her 17th birthday on Halloween Night.

Given her experience, O'Daiskey has learned to read the closer details of the game - though the same could likely be said for Jaida Chartrand, Tyla MacLeod and Kennedy Cresswell, all of whom joined her in the interception department.

"We notice how they line up during the play, notice if they have a different quarterback," O'Daiskey suggested. "One will run, one will throw, one will do both. I would line up closer to the line (of scrimmage), depending on the quarterback."

"Then I would watch for the fake handoff behind and try and read the play."

While they were unable to put any points on the board, the Aigles also recorded three picks of their own (including two from Olivia Pitre), while Meghan Paquette was their busiest receiver, especially when hockey goaltender Desiree Charbonneau stepped in at QB.

"I'm nervous when she's quarterback," said O'Daiskey with a smile. "Des can throw. When I see her out there, I know to back up - but I also rely on my safety (Myra Balfe). She will let me know if it's a run or a throw."

Kaleigh Hamilton converted two of the three majors to round out the scoring for the Gators, who are back in action next Tuesday facing the College Notre-Dame Alouettes.

CND dropped their first game on Monday, a tight affair as they fell 19-14 to the Lo-Ellen Park Knights. A pair of TDs from Maddie Veevers and another from Sophia Legendre (24 yard run) were enough to offset scores from Hannah Adler and Gabrielle Gibson as the Knights overcame a 14-7 halftime deficit for the win.

The St Charles College Cardinals and Confederation Chargers played to a 14-14 draw as Bryn Hobson and Kaydan Francoeur made their way to the house for SCC (the former added two PATs) while Mara Kahl had both six-point scores for Confed, with Rylee Morris adding a two-point conversion.

The remaining game would see the Lasalle Lancers school the Marymount Regals 28-0 as Angel Allonce hauled in three TD passes with Isabelle Roy getting the other. Kaylee Vaillancourt split the uprights with a pair of converts as well as a two-pointer to cap off the scoring for the Lancers.