Minor football roundup: Cheetahs, Isles win openers; Mustangs, Lions continue to roll

From my end, having been a die-hard football player, fan and coach for many years, I have rarely had the opportunity to see much football other than the brand played by my team. Now, with a little bit of time on my hands, I'm better able to get out there and see what's happening.

Here goes:

The Vanier College Cheetahs opened the season on a very high note, dropping the F.X. Garneau Elans 33-19 in their opener Saturday afternoon at Concordia Stadium in N.D.G.

Quarterback Jeremi Doyon-Roch threw four touchdown passes for the Cheetahs – all to second-year receiver Vincent Cleroux, whose impressive rookie season has carried over to his second year.

Head coach Peter Chryssomalis' squad fell to the Elans three times in 2008, the final loss eliminating the Cheetahs from the CEGEP AAA playoffs; the Elans went on to win the Bol d'Or over the Champlain-Lennoxville Cougars.

Chryssomalis himself once said "to figure out how good a player is going to be, see how much he progresses from his first year to his second year." No doubt Cleroux and Roch have matured and become serious impact players at the CEGEP AAA level. On defense, Byron Perez-Archambault has turned into a monster, and his interception of a Charles Lambert pass – which he returned to the Garneau 38-yard line – was just another piece of evidence.

Doyon-Roch's fast start should be of no surprise to anyone who has followed the prodigious young passer's career to date. This summer, at the age of 17, Doyon-Roch was the starter for the Canadian under-20 squad that competed at the world championships in Canton, Ohio. The LaSalle product has impressed many observers with his poise and composure. Cleroux and Perez-Archambault, along with running backs James Sifakis and Franck Marvel, were among the Cheetahs wearing Team Canada colours last July.

In Ste. Anne de Bellevue, the new-look (in many ways) John Abbott Islanders won their opener, defeating a plucky Champlain-St. Lambert team 26-14 under a steady drizzle. With new all-white home uniforms and a brand-new coaching staff led by former Mustangs' boss Justin McHugh, the Isles ran wild on the Cavaliers to the tune of 230 yards rushing. Emmanuel Musangu led the way with 143 yards, while Ross Olshansky kicked in 54 yards of his own. Fullback Karl Watson opened holes all over the field and also chipped in 33 yards rushing to help spur the Islanders' rushing attack.

Quarterback Victor Kozlowksi said after the game he was pleased with the effort, but maintained there was plenty of room for improvement. "We had some mistakes, but we 're going to work on those things and improve them. This is only the tip of the iceberg for us. This team is very talented and we'll definitely improve as the season goes along.

The Islanders will make the six-hour drive north for next week's game against Jonquiere. Kickoff is 7 p.m.

The North Shore Mustangs continued their impressive early-season play with a 46-16 win over the visiting LaSalle Warriors Saturday night at Glenn F. McHugh Field in Dollard des Ormeaux. The 'Stangs spotted LaSalle an early 7-0 lead, then scored the next 34 points as Matthew John ran wild behind a powerhouse offensive line, and quarterback Max St. James overcame an interception in the end zone late in the first half to take control of the third quarter and the game.

Mustangs head coach Jason Jourdenais said his team still has lots of room for improvement, despite the win.

Still things to fix, things to work on. The kids are still trying to take in all the new information. I feel the group is jelling well and we didn't want to peak in week one.

I added a lot to the playbook. It's basically all new.

Jourdenais gave plaudits to his offensive linemen, who opened holes no matter who was running the ball. "We were very happy. Our offensive line is probably the best I've ever had in my time coaching. Very dedicated to the playbook, and they have 27 different run-blocking concepts depending on what the defence is running, and I gave them another 20 passing plays. The mental capacity is very impressive. They just open up holes all over the place," he said.

The win comes on the heels of the Mustangs' 69-7 season-opening win over the Lanaudiere Rhinos, who have jumped to the Quebec Midget Football League's Heppell Division – and are in a bit over their collective heads.

In Bantam AAA action, the North Shore Lions continued their remarkable five-plus-season winning streak (they last lost a game in 2003) with a 28-19 home win over the Laurentian Wildcats. The Lions opened up an early lead, but the Wildcats moved to within two points in the second half before the Lions salted the game away in the fourth quarter.

And in inter-park action, The Lakeshore (Pointe Claire) atom Pumas fell 21-0 to the Ile Bizard Vikings Sunday afternoon at Ovide Park in Pointe Claire despite a great effort on defence and some bright spots on offence. Head coach Alton Francis' group will take to the field Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. against Alexander Park.

A note for coaches, parents and players: Have you got a tidbit from last week's games I've missed or want to tip me off to a great team or player? E-mail me at marc.lalonde@transcontinental.ca or call me at (514) 685-4690 ext. 243.