A Championship Built One Snap At A Time

CHAMPIONSHIP – Kanata Knights vs Bel-Air Norsemen – Nov 2/25 – Sportsplex – 6:30pm

A perfect fall evening for football under the lights but not a Friday. The Championship game was moved to Sunday because of Halloween and it was played under the first day of Daylight Savings Time (DST) after the other NCAFA A-Cup games.

The Bel-Air Norsemen had played a perfect season and many remembered that teams with that record can be defeated in a one game final. Today that was not the case as the Norsemen completed an undefeated record season. This was a phenomenal team – defense allowing only 15 points all season (14+1 – offense allowed 1 point) and offense (322 points) almost 3x the score of the next team.

On to the game. It was apparent after their kickoff that the Kanata coaches had prepared their team very well because the return only reached the Norsemen 35 yard line. The Norsemen only got one first down in this series and only because the QB #9 Gabriel Zammar made a great run.

Then the Knights were stopped by tackles by Noah Shirey (#4) & Daniel Damaren (#44) , then #4 and finally #8 and forced to punt. The punt was fumbled and bounced into the Norsemen end zone where the players fought and struggled for the ball. The Knights were successful but a penalty where they interfered with a Norsemen player negated their recovery.

Then Charles Guei (#15) ran for 20 yards and #9 had another 1st down run which was followed by a fumble that was recovered by the Knights however on their first play they also fumbled and #4 recovered the ball. It was obvious that all the players were feeling the pressure. Do you think the players felt the pressure?
End of first Knights 0 – Norsemen 0.

Early in the second both teams continued to test the other until the Norsemen struck with the same play that earned a TD in the last game. A pass from #9 to Brett Proudfoot (#90) who ran for a TD which was converted by Jean Marc Thompson Deschamps (#10).

After the kickoff the Knights again fumbled the ball and again #4 recovered it. Then Joshua Olubajo (#2) earned 5 yd and #9 earned a 1st down which was followed by a 25 yard run by #90. Then the Knights held but a 25 yd field goal was earned by #10.
End of 2nd – Knights 0 – Norsemen 10.

Early in the 3rd Nathanael Anna (#92) recovered a fumble and Ethan Hutton (#20) had a 20 yd run. Subsequently Noah Shirey was tackled on the knights 2 yd line. Then #2 made a dash through to the end zone for a TD which was converted by #10. End of 3rd Knights 0 – Norsemen 17.

The 4th started about the same with the Knights fumble recovered by #20.

This led to a 30 yd pass to #4 and then a pass to Kingston Pappas (#5) but then the Knights held and #10 kicked a field goal.

Late in the 4th #15 had 2 consecutive 20 yard runs with the second run earning a TD which was called back due to a Norsemen penalty.

End of Championship game and the 2025 season – Final Score Norsemen 20 – Knights 0

I would like to sign off this year by thanking all the families that helped with snacks , drinks and the sticks. I was pleasantly surprised with all the support that was quickly provided to help with these items so volunteers could focus on helping the players/coaches prepare.

I would also thank the coaches for their leadership and the players for their determination and excellent work ethic throughout the year. This effort will help them in any career they choose. Also special thanks to the announcers and referees for their valuable contribution to NCAFA football.

And last Thank you to our current President – Ahmed Zammar and past President – John Smith for your strong support throughout the year. Enjoy the success and see you at the banquet. Nov 21st Details to follow.

Note: Banquet tickets and Champion medals will be available at equipment return – Nov 12 &13. Details will follow on Teamlinkt.