Mustangs put an end to Dragons’ winning streak

BY MICHAEL PIASETZKI

The Quebec Midget AAA Football League North Shore Mustangs put a cramp into the Beauce Dragons’ swagger on Saturday afternoon at Glenn F. McHugh Field in Dollard des Ormeaux.

On a day marked by extremely strong winds, the Mustangs, led by a staunch defence that continues to be league best in terms of points, allowed and a solid performance by starting quarterback Kevin Hillier, who threw for two touchdowns while scampering for 28 yards, handed the defending provincial champion Dragons a 23-18 defeat. By doing so, not only did head coach Justin McHugh’s boys prove they are going to be in the mix of definite contenders come playoff time in what is turning out to be one of the most unpredictable midget AAA seasons in a long time, they also showed the Dragons are not the invincible robotic winning machines they appeared to be last season — and at times this campaign. Heading into the game, the visitors had captured 31 straight contests. “We knew they were a solid team, but we also knew they had some weaknesses, and we exploited those,” said McHugh. “The wind played a huge role in the game. It was a huge factor.”

The first half was dominated by the Mustangs, who with those winds at their backs during the first quarter, jumped out to a 16-0 lead on Robin Schmidt and Richard Elias touchdown receptions from Hillier and a safety touch. The Dragons made it 16-3 at the half before a 32-yard touchdown scamper by Shane McKenna through a huge hole opened up by the offensive line increased the Mustangs’ lead to 23-3 after three quarters. Aided by a plethora of Mustangs’ penalties which kept drives alive, the Dragons made things interesting in the final quarter, registering two TDs and a single point to narrow the gap to five. However, a Derek Zacard interception in the dying seconds ended any hope of a comeback victory.