Knights split opening weekend; Mustangs, Beefs back in win column

Gameday in 5: A look to the week ahead — and a recap of the week that was (Sept. 23-29) — for London’s teams and athletes.

(Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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London Knights

The Knights opened their 2024-2025 season over the weekend, splitting their first two games in a home-and-home series against the Flint Firebirds.

Opening at home Friday, the Knights fell 7-4 to the visiting Firebirds. Flint came out strong in the first period, opening up a 3-0 lead before London got on the board, with Evan Van Gorp scoring a power play goal in the final minute of the period. The Firebirds went back on the attack in the second, scoring twice more in just over two minutes to take a 5-1 lead. The Knights’ William Nicholl made things interesting, scoring a power play goal at the 12:17 mark and adding a second extra strength marker 2:50 into the third. But 5-3 was as close as the Knights got, with Flint scoring twice more in the third. Jacob Julien added one final power play goal late in the third to round out the scoring.

Looking to bounce back on Saturday, the Knights responded with a 5-2 win over the Firebirds on the road. Flint opened the scoring for the second game in a row, but London responded just over a minute later, with Blake Arrowsmith tying things up at the 9:34 mark. After a quiet start to the second period, London’s offense came to life late. Rene Van Bommel put the team ahead before Alec Leonard scored the eventual game winner. Flint added a second goal in the third, but London responded with two of their own (Jared Woolley, Evan Van Gorp) to put the game away.

Up next:

Fri. Oct. 4 (7:00pm vs. Erie Otters)
Sat. Oct. 5 (4:00pm @ Brampton Steelheads)

Western Mustangs

The Mustangs (4-1) bounced back from their first loss since 2021 two weeks ago by winning on Homecoming Weekend, 39-14, over the Queen’s Gaels (4-2) Saturday afternoon.

Western’s offense was relentless, scoring in every quarter. Despite the high-scoring affair, the Mustangs only picked up two points on a safety in the first. Things started moving in the second with a 52-yard catch and run by Dasani McIntosh that set a one-yard rushing touchdown by backup quarterback Jerome Rancourt. Later, Keon Edwards ran in an eight-yard score, and Western led 20-7 at halftime.

The Mustangs continued their momentum in the second half. After a second safety, Brian Garrity knocked home his second field goal of the game, and then a Seth Robertson touchdown catch from Mustangs quarterback Evan Hillock put the home side up 32-7. That became 39-7 when Keanu Yazbeck ran in a touchdown of his own. Queen’s added a late score but in the end they were overmatched on the day. 

Hillock finished 18 of 25 passing for 264 yards and a touchdown (though he also had two interceptions). Yazbeck ran for 72 yards and a score on eight carries, while Edwards rushed 14 times for 69 yards and a touchdown. Ethan Dolby also gained 62 yards on only five carries.

Western is now 4-1 on the season, one game back of both Laurier and Windsor, who each sport a 5-0 record heading into play this weekend.

Up next:

Sat. Oct. 5 (1:00pm @ McMaster Marauders)

London Beefeaters

Bouncing back from a drubbing at the hands of the St. Clair Saints the week prior, the London Beefeaters came out strong Sunday and didn’t look back, scoring 21 first-quarter points and coasting to a 37-10 win over the Quinte Skyhawks.

London running back LJ Dyer opened the scoring with a big 52-yard touchdown run just 1:12 into the contest to set the tone for a big rushing day for the Beefeaters. Their second touchdown came in the air, just under four minutes later, as quarterback Brady Miller connected with wideout Karson Douglas for a 56-yard touchdown play. Elijah Prosper added to the first-quarter offensive juggernaut, tallying a 45-yard touchdown run to make it 21-0.

The Beefeaters later got a touchdown run from Jesse King and three field goals to round out their scoring in a win that improved their record to 5-2 on the season, putting them in good position to claim that spot heading into the playoffs in a couple of weeks.

Miller completed five of his 10 pass attempts for 131 and a touchdown (he had two interceptions). Ethan Balthazaar also saw some action and completed two of four pass attempts for 53 yards. Dyer had a monster game on the ground, rushing for 197 on 19 carries. Prosper amassed 144 yards on 12 carries, while King had 73 yards on nine carries. Douglas led London receivers with 100 yards, while Jagger Horst hauled in a pair of catches for 57 yards.

Up next:

Sat. Oct. 5 (3:00pm vs. Ottawa Sooners)