The Quebec Chronicle Telegraph (QCT) reported on the latest news from the city’s sports scene, covering the results of the Fighting Irish football teams, the Bataillon football team, and the Diamants baseball team.
Fighting Irish off to a strong start
The St. Patrick’s High School Fighting Irish football teams have shown no rust after the long COVID-19 layoff and have started their season with impressive wins. The senior team defeated the Dragons from Polyvalente de Saint-Georges by a score of 42-0 on Sept. 10, while the cadet team beat the Centaures from École secondaire La Courvilloise 38-0 on Sept. 11. Both games were played at the PEPS stadium of Université Laval.
The senior team dominated their opponents from start to finish, scoring six touchdowns and keeping a clean sheet. Quarterback William Gagnon threw for three touchdowns and ran for another, while running back Mathis Gagnon scored twice on the ground. The defense was equally impressive, forcing four turnovers and limiting the Dragons to only 85 yards of total offense.
The cadet team also had a stellar performance, scoring five touchdowns and shutting out the Centaures. Quarterback Émile Charest threw for two touchdowns and ran for one, while running back Nathan Bolduc scored twice on the ground. The defense was relentless, sacking the opposing quarterback seven times and intercepting him twice.
The Fighting Irish will face their next opponents on Sept. 17 and 18, respectively. The senior team will play against the Corsaires from École Pointe-Lévy, while the cadet team will face the Centurions from École secondaire Cardinal-Roy.
Bataillon lose season opener to Bulldogs
The Quebec Bataillon opened their third season in the Quebec Junior Football League on Sept. 19 with a loss to the Laval Bulldogs by a score of 28-14. The game was played at the Collège Notre-Dame-de-Foy stadium in Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures.
The Bataillon started well, scoring a touchdown on their first drive of the game. Quarterback Samuel Lefebvre connected with receiver Samuel Giguère for a 35-yard score. However, the Bulldogs responded with two touchdowns of their own in the first quarter, taking a 14-7 lead.
The second quarter was scoreless, as both defenses tightened up and forced several punts. The Bataillon had a chance to tie the game before halftime, but Lefebvre was intercepted in the end zone by Bulldogs defensive back Samuel Desjardins.
The third quarter saw the Bulldogs extend their lead to 21-7, as running back Samuel Lavoie scored on a one-yard plunge. The Bataillon tried to mount a comeback in the fourth quarter, as Lefebvre found receiver Mathieu Gagnon for a 15-yard touchdown. However, the Bulldogs sealed the game with another touchdown by Lavoie, who ran for 120 yards and two scores on 18 carries.
The Bataillon will look to bounce back in their next game on Sept. 26, when they will host the North Shore Mustangs at the Collège Notre-Dame-de-Foy stadium.
Diamants advance to semifinal after sweeping Alouettes
The Quebec Diamants are off to the semifinal of the Ligue de Baseball Junior Élite du Québec (LBJEQ) after eliminating the Montréal Alouettes in three straight games in their best-of-five quarterfinal series. The Diamants won 5-4 on Sept. 10, 9-2 on Sept. 11, and 6-5 on Sept. 12.
The Diamants showed their resilience in the first game, as they rallied from a 4-2 deficit in the ninth inning to win on a walk-off single by catcher Samuel Chaput. Pitcher Félix-Antoine Chénier-Rondeau earned the win in relief, striking out four batters in two innings.
The second game was a more comfortable victory for the Diamants, as they scored six runs in the first inning and never looked back. Pitcher Zachary Gagnon tossed seven strong innings, allowing only two runs on five hits and striking out eight batters. First baseman Samuel Olivier led the offense with three hits and three RBIs.
The third game was another nail-biter, as the Diamants had to overcome a 5-3 deficit in the eighth inning to complete the sweep. Third baseman Étienne Blanchette hit a two-run homer to tie the game, and outfielder William Provencher scored the winning run on a wild pitch. Pitcher William Sierra picked up the win in relief, pitching two scoreless innings and striking out three batters.
The Diamants will face the Charlesbourg Alouettes in the semifinal, starting on Sept. 17. The Alouettes finished first in the regular season with a 28-8 record, while the Diamants finished fourth with a 20-16 record.
