The Brantford Bisons were able to capture two victories in their home openers, earning victories against the visiting Oakville Titans in both the U16 and U18 matchups. Both squads bounced back after dropping their opening game of the Ontario Summer Football League last weekend.

The U16 matchup had a number of great plays on both sides of the ball, but it was the defence that stood out for the Bisons squad.

The first quarter saw a number of key defensive plays made by both teams. Bisons linebacker Taiden Tremblay made a number of key stops including a fantastic play in the backfield on third down to stop a Titans drive as well as blocking a field goal attempt. Neither team could break the deadlock after the first quarter of play.

After building some momentum off their defence in the first quarter, the Bisons offence was able to get into a rhythm to start the second. Quarterback Ben Spangenbeger connected with Keyshawn Raposo and Zagham Syed to get the Bisons in the redzone, but the Titans stood tall to keep the game scoreless. With 6:23 remaining in the second the Bisons opened up the scoring when Spangenberger connected with Raposo for a 50-yard touchdown. Ryan Harrison tacked on the convert to make it 7-0. The Titans would respond quickly however after they intercepted a quick pass and returned it for a score of their own just three minutes later. At the half, the Bisons led 7-6 with neither team giving an inch on either side of the ball.

A steady dose of Peyton Walker to start the third quarter helped set up Harrison for a 20-yard field goal to make it 10-6 Bisons. Both teams were able to gain first downs throughout the quarter but neither team could find the endzone.

A number of tough runs by Adam Wright and a thirty-yard completion from Spangenberger to Gabriel Hamilton helped flip the field and pin the Titans in their own end for the early part of the fourth quarter. After the Titans conceded a safety, the Bisons lead grew to 12-6 with seven minutes to go in the final quarter.

After a huge third down conversion with 1:32 remaining as well as a goaline stand as time expired, the Bisons were able to hold on for their first victory of the season 12-6.

In U18 action, the Bisons got off to a slow start as the Titans connected on a long fifty-yard touchdown pass to open up the scoring just 4:14 into the game. The Bisons were able to respond however after a great punt return from Kamil Kubecki set up a 29-yard field goal from Connor Plumstead to make it 7-3 after the first.

A back and forth second quarter saw both teams digging in defensively. With just over two minutes to play in the first half that changed when the Bisons took advantage of a short field and reached the endzone for the first time in the game on a one-yard touchdown carry by Brody Thomas. A huge defensive stand capped off by an interception by Marco DiNino on the last play of the half kept the score at 10-7 heading into halftime.

On their opening drive of the second half, the Bisons drove down the field on the back of a number of tough runs from Spencer Cockerill. Quarterback Carter Freeman connected on a number of passes as the Bisons drove into Titans territory but a huge defensive stand on the goaline kept the Bisons lead still at three.

Two minutes later the Bisons would make a big defensive play of their own as Cole Vonlukawiecki came up with the football after a forced fumble near the Titans redzone. It was the Titans defensive who once again came up big however as they stalled the Bisons drive on the one-yard line to keep the score at 10-7 heading into the fourth.

With 4:22 to go, and the Titans with the momentum and driving to the Bisons 15-yard line, safety Jack Kelly made an acrobatic play to intercept the Titans pivot and returned it 110 yards to the endzone to put the Bisons up 17-7. The Titans would not go away however as less than a minute later the Oakville squad would hook up for a 76-yard touchdown to make it 17-14.

With the Bisons needing some first downs to run out the clock, Freeman connected with Ty DeJonghe on a deep ball to move the ball into Titans territory with under two minutes to play. The Bisons would have to stave off one last Titans push as they took over on their own 17-yard line with just over a minute to play. A 42-yard field goal attempt as time expired was blocked and the Bisons complete the double and pick up their first win of the season 17-14.

Both the U16 and U18 Bisons teams will continue their OSFL season next week as they host the Sault Sabercats on June 4^th at Bisons Alumni Field in Brantford.