June 27, 2007

There was little drama or suspense Saturday at Bronte Athletic Field, but the Oakville Longhorns weren't complaining.

Having dropped their past two games by a combined total of 12 points, the Longhorns rolled to a 49-1 rout of the Quinte-Limestone Panthers and squared their Northern Football Conference record at 2-2.

Mike Long, Chad Kennedy, Will Mayhew and Vaughan Swart caught touchdown passes from Oakville starting quarterback Tom Denison, while Swart and back-up pivot Mike Hyatt connected for a TD in the fourth quarter.

The Longhorns' defence also contributed to the scoring barrage. Jason Sayer returned an interception for a touchdown, and Kirby Ginn scored after receiving a lateral from linebacker Wayne Sliwinski, who had intercepted a pass and returned it to the 25-yard-line.

"That play bordered on camaraderie and bordered on us not having to dial 911 for Wayne," Oakville head coach Barry Emo laughed. "If Wayne was in better shape and not as old, he would have probably scored."

Emo said the one-sided win over the winless Panthers -- Quinte-Limestone avoided the goose egg with a single late in the first half -- provided an opportunity for the Longhorns to try some things they hadn't had the luxury to attempt during their more competitive contests. All 47 players that dressed for the Longhorns saw game action.

The victory will make for a lighter mood at Longhorns practice this week, Emo agreed, but the coach will be sure to caution his squad not to take its next opponent too lightly. The 0-3 Milton Marauders, the former team of Emo as well as more than 20 current Longhorns, will visit Bronte Athletic Field this Saturday for a 7 p.m. start.

"Our team spirits may be higher, but our approach to practice will be like we are playing the national champions," said Emo. "They'll be coming after us large, and I don't want to lose sight of the fact that, even if Milton is 0-3, we're 2-2 and haven't exactly been world-beaters."