Recent GTA Grizzlies News
The GTA Grizzlies
Photo courtesy of Nix B Photos
Following consultation between the Ontario Football Conference (“OFC”) and the GTA Grizzlies Football Club (the “GTA Grizzlies”), it has been determined that the competition level of the Canadian Junior Football League (“CJFL”) is no longer an appropriate fit for the GTA Grizzlies.
Accordingly, it has been decided that the GTA Grizzlies will not participate in OFC play for the 2026 season. This decision reflects a shared focus on athlete development, organizational readiness and long-term sustainability of the organization. The GTA Grizzlies will continue to remain active in football operations and community based programming and will continue working toward future opportunities that are more aligned with their developmental pathway.
The OFC would like to acknowledge the efforts put forward by their dedicated volunteers, in particular Coleen and Mark Houlder, and the OFC appreciates the GTA Grizzlies’ cooperation and commitment to acting in the best interests of their athletes and amateur football in Canada.
Darren Cocchetto
OFC President
The best in BC and Ontario from this weekend
Both the BC and Ontario Conferences concluded their regular season schedule this past weekend and have selected their CJFL Players of the Week.
Offensive Players of the Week
BC Conference
QB Liam Kroeger – Okanagan Sun
The veteran pivot dismantled the opposition this past weekend, setting some new team records along the way. He completed 36 passes, tying his own team record from earlier this season and that is second most in the BC Conference. He threw for 429 yards and six touchdowns, becoming only the second player in Conference history to throw six majors twice in one season.
Ontario Conference
RB Zach Delwo – London Beefeaters
In a tune up for the post season, the Beefeaters relied on the ground game in a big road win over the Sooners this past weekend. Leading the ground assault was running back Zach Delwo as he pounded the Sooners’ defence for 145 yards on 19 carries.
Defensive Players of the Week
BC Conference
LB Andy Ofosuhene – Valley Huskers
The Huskers concluded their regular season this past weekend and linebacker Andy Ofosuhene played his final CJFL game and left with a memorable performance. He collected a game high eight solo tackles, shared a sack and intercepted a pass returning it 10 yards. He will be missed by the Huskers going forward.
Ontario Conference
DL Samuel Williams – GTA Grizzlies
Despite the loss, Samuel Williams made sure that he left his mark on the 2025 season and he did so in a big way as he compiled three sacks, five tackles (four solo and one tackle for loss) as well as forcing one fumble which he also recovered for a total of 22 defensive points.
Special Teams Players of the Week
BC Conference
PR Andrew Brown – Prince George Kodiaks
Flipping the field is obviously important in every game, and this past weekend Andrew Brown worked that to perfection. He returned seven kickoffs averaging just under 20 yards a return and added three punt returns averaging another 15 yards setting up his offensive teammates.
Ontario Conference
PR Jaiden Trudeau – Sault Ste. Marie Cougars
As he has flashed all season long, Trudeau was electrifying in the Sault’s return game as he contributed in a big way to a crucial win that paved the way for the Cougars' entry into the OFC playoffs. Trudeau returned five punts for 140 yards, including one punt he returned 77 yards for a touchdown. He also returned one kickoff for 21 yards.
The Beefeaters, Hurricanes and Cougars each win
Photo courtesy of Sault Ste. Marie College
The Ontario Conference regular season came to an end this weekend and the playoff picture became clear.
Sault Ste. Marie Cougars 56
Quinte Skyhawks 14
With the win the Cougars capture their first playoff berth in their inaugural season and will be the fourth seed heading into this weekend’s semifinal in Windsor.
Saturday, the Cougars took control almost immediately. After stopping the Skyhawks on the game’s opening drive, the special teams went to work. Jaiden Trudeau returned the punt 77-yards for a touchdown to set the tone and the Cougars cruised to a lopsided win.
Offensively quarterback Gabe Barkley threw for 169 yards and a touchdown to Afonso Kiala. Receiver Marcus Williams also threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to Kiala on a trick play to keep the Skyhawks defence guessing. The Cougars offence tallied three touchdowns on the ground as Ethan Carchidi scored a pair and Sam Mustaspha had the other.
Even the defence got in on the scoring when Daikaden Gauthier intercepted a pass and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown. In all, the defence forced an eye-popping nine turnovers.
The Skyhawks struggled to move the ball on the offensive side. Their lone offensive touchdown came on a Jake Venditti 60-yard run in the fourth quarter with the game already out of reach. Their defence scored their first touchdown in the second quarter on a Cameron Wright 29-yard pick six.
The Cougars (4-4) will head to St. Clair to meet the Saints (8-0) on Saturday afternoon for a semifinal. With the loss the Skyhawks (3-5) season ends, and they begin the process to retool for next year.
London Beefeaters 52
Ottawa Sooners 7
The Beefeaters victory allows them to clinch the second seed in the Conference and a home playoff date, set for this coming weekend.
They blasted out of the gate scoring 23 points in the first quarter to set the tone, predominantly using the ground game. Zach Delwo was outstanding chewing up 145 yards on 19 carries. Once getting close to the endzone the Beefs saw touchdowns from Xavier Zatylny, Ethan Grant and Wes Schneider. Quarterback DJ Fonti only completed six passes but two of them were for touchdowns, finding Seth Raymer and Brandon Visouvath.
Defensively they held the Sooners to 29-net offensive yards and shut them out for three quarters. They forced four turnovers with Sam Fediya intercepting two passes, including a 40-yard pick-six.
The lone Sooners score was a 36-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown by Ayman Raheem in the fourth quarter.
This coming Saturday afternoon the Beefeaters (6-2) will host the Hamilton Hurricanes (6-2) in a semi-final with winner advancing to the Teddy Morris championship game. The Sooners (1-7) will head back to the drawing board and look to improve heading in 2026.
Hamilton Hurricanes 46
GTA Grizzlies 6
The Hurricanes win their sixth game of the season and finish as the third seed in the Conference heading into the postseason this weekend.
They scored 21-first quarter points and had little trouble containing the Grizzlies the entire game. Two quarterbacks combined for 302 yards and four touchdowns on just 13 completions as both Zach and Robbie Pereira each hauled in two touchdowns.
The defence not only held the Grizzlies in check all game, but defensive back Janal Williams also scored courtesy of a 37-yard interception return for a touchdown.
With the win, the Hurricanes (6-2) finish with an identical record to the London Beefeaters (6-2), but the Beefs hold the tiebreaker after winning their only meeting of the season. Therefore, the Hurricanes will travel to London for Saturday’s playoff game. The Grizzlies (0-8) season ends without a win.
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