Sault Junior Sabercats Secure First Win of 2025 OSFL Season with Gritty Win in Clarington -

After opening the 2025 Ontario Summer Football League (OSFL) season with a hard-fought 21-21 draw against the Peterborough Wolverines on May 17, the Sault Junior Sabercats hit the road again for a late afternoon clash against the Clarington Knights—and this time, they returned home with a win.

In a defensive battle that showcased the Sabercats’ resilience and playmaking ability on both sides of the ball, the team edged out the Knights 16–8 for their first victory of the season.

Jake Orr opened the scoring for the Sabercats with a touchdown run, followed by a successful two-point conversion by JJ Perreault to give the Sault an early edge. Quarterback Aaron Juma continued to lead the offense with poise, connecting with Drew Albury for a receiving touchdown later in the game. While the Sabercats missed both two-point conversion attempts following their second touchdown, the defensive unit stepped up to keep Clarington at bay.

The Sabercats’ defense was dominant throughout the game, contributing directly to the score with a safety and piling up key plays including three quarterback sacks and three interceptions. Their tenacity and discipline on the field proved crucial in maintaining the lead and sealing the win.

Sabercat coach told Saultsports that “I think we did some good things out there today. Guys executed the game plan, played hard, played smart for the most part. Still a lot we can clean up, but, you know, proud of the way the team competed. Credit to the players—they prepared well all week, came in focused, and made plays when we needed them. Offense moved the ball, defense got some key stops. Special teams gave us good field position, made a couple big plays. So… yeah. It’s good to get the win, but we’ve got work to do. We’ll look at the film, make corrections, and get ready for next week.”

With the 16-8 win, the Junior Sabercats improve to 1-0-1 on the season and return to action on Saturday, May 31st when they host the North Bay Bulldogs at Rocky DiPietro in Sault Ste Marie.