The clip of 1999: COLUMN

The 1999 edition of the Huronia Stallions was an experienced team looking for success after a tough 1-7 season in the previous campaign.

The team had outstanding leadership in cornerback Johnny Miller, slotback/safety Clayton Speers and quarterback Jeremy Cain, all four-year veterans.

The defence was led by linebacker Spencer Ridding and defensive end Bill Russell. On offence, future Team Canada member Tommy Turnbull was the anchor of the offensive line and tailback Townson Ramsey was a game-breaking talent.

The team qualified for the playoffs on the strength of a three-win season that included a remarkable comeback victory over the Brantford Bisons. The team benched Ramsey for the first three quarters and found themselves trailing 21-0.

Ramsey was inserted into the lineup with devastating effect. At one point, the Bisons defensive captain yelled to his coach, "We can't stop this guy."

The Stallions roared back to tie the game and send it into overtime. In overtime, Jeremy Cain completed a touchdown pass to slotback Greg Cunningham to complete the comeback.

The Stallions' first-round opponent was the undefeated, top-seeded Mississauga Warriors.

The Warriors were the Stallions' arch rivals, and the game would turn out to be a classic. The game was a seesaw affair with Ramsey and the Stallions' rushing attack keeping pace with the explosive Warriors offence.

With three minutes left in the game and the Stallions trailing by four points, Ramsey broke a 70-yard touchdown run that saw him pull his hamstring on the way through the goal line.

The coaches noticed during the run that a Stallion player had clipped a Warrior defender in the back, 30 yards behind the play. The penalty was crushing, as the TD was negated and Ramsey was lost for the game.

The Stallions' drive stalled and the Warriors punched in a late touchdown to win the game 45- 34. The Warriors would go on to win a championship and are considered one of the greatest teams in Ontario Varsity Football League history with a roster laden with NCAA, CIS, NFL and CFL players.