Recent Ottawa Sooners News
The 2025 OFC schedule kicks off August 2nd
The CJFL in conjunction with the Ontario Conference (OFC) has released the 2025 schedule that will see the seven-member Conference open the CJFL season the weekend of August 2, 2025.
It’s an exciting season in Ontario with the defending Canadian Bowl champion St. Clair Saints opening their national title defence, and the newly expanded Sault Ste. Marie Cougars grow the Conference to seven teams as they make their CJFL debut.
Two games will open play in Ontario during the first weekend of the season. The bitter rivalry between the London Beefeaters and Hamilton Hurricanes begins a new chapter on August 2 in London before the Cougars play their first CJFL game on August 3rd when they visit the GTA Grizzlies. The Saints, Ottawa Sooners and Quinte Skyhawks all have a bye during the first weekend of play.
The Ontario Conference teams will play an eight-game regular season schedule concluding on October 5th. The Canadian Bowl playoffs will open on Thanksgiving weekend, October 11th with a pair of semi-finals before the Teddy Morris Conference championship game kicks off on Saturday October 18th.
The winner of the Ontario final will travel to the BC Conference champion to meet in the CJFL National Semi-Final on October 25. The winner of this game will travel the Prairies for the 2025 Canadian Bowl on Sunday November 9th!
The Ottawa Sooners are making a difference in lives
One of the most important pieces of a CJFL team is giving back to the community that supports them on and off the field.
CJFL teams assist in several ways during the year including helping in local Food Banks, assisting with fundraisers, delivering food to those experiencing homelessness and coaching minor teams.
The Ottawa Sooners are one of the most active CJFL teams with their ongoing community support. They are involved with kids camps, an annual clothing drive and several other initiatives that are designed to make a difference in the Ottawa area.
Team Manager Fathia Ibrahim and Head Coach Kevin Ling are the driving forces behind their community engagement which truly has been making a difference in people’s lives. They join Ryan Watters to discuss their incredible work and why they feel it’s important do create these opportunities in the nation’s capital.
Mr. Versatile for the Ottawa Sooners
Photo courtesy of Hanlon Photography
Christian Phillips had an outstanding 2024 season for the Ottawa Sooners and finished tied atop the Ontario Conference leaderboard for scoring.
He had a Conference high 12 touchdowns scored and showed his versatility playing several different positions. He primarily lined up in the backfield as running back, rushing 40 times for 380 yards and tallied seven touchdowns. He would leak out of the backfield making 22 receptions for 375 yards and scored four more touchdowns.
On special teams he made an impact returning kicks. He averaged over 19 yards with each return and took one punt to the house for a touchdown.
With an injury to the Sooners quarterback in the late stages of the season, Phillips took over completing 53% of his passes for 423 yards and struck for two majors.
He is an American born player and shares his Football Story with Ryan Watters explaining why he’s in the CJFL, where he first fell in love with the sport and which family member convinced the others to allow him to play in the first place. This discussion took place following a game at Quinte this past season.
Sooners Giving Back
- By Supplied 03/18/2025, 11:00am PDT
Team Canada Returns
- By CJFL Media 02/14/2025, 3:15pm PST
Ottawa Sooners Add Five
- By CJFL Media 01/29/2025, 5:30am PST