OUTLAW Scott Rowsell hangs tough to bring down this Warrior ball carrier on OMFLJunior Varsity football action at Westside on Sunday afternoon. Photo/MIKE MALONEY Local football fans had a lot of choices this weekend as the Orangeville Outlaws took over the Westside field on Sunday, officially kicking off their 2007 season.

The house league teams were first to take to the gridiron with the Bandits and Rebels going toe to toe in game one while the Desperados and Renegades kept the action going in the game immediately following.

Things didn't quite go according to plans for the Peewee Outlaws.

Having come up short by one in a 41-40 overtime final to the TNT Express in Toronto the week before, Orangeville had hoped for another strong showing which would put them into the win column but the Halton Invictas had other ideas.

With a downpour adding to hamper their offence, Orangeville was unable to get much going and fell to the Invictas by a final score of 25-6.

In Sunday's final game, the Junior Varsity squad were also looking to make up for a 12-10 loss to the TNT Junior squad last weekend.

Starting out slow against the Mississauga Warriors on a wet field, both teams would have chances in the opening quarter but it was Orangeville that would strike first.

With the defence recovering a Warrior fumble, Outlaw quarterback Chad Manning guided his team down field before being stalled at the Warrior 15 yard line.

Orangeville would go to Keith Millard on a field goal attempt which was caught by the wind and drifted just wide of the upright but through the end-zone to score one on the safety.

Mississauga marched the ball back into the Outlaws end on the next series and with less than 30 seconds to play in the first half, capped their touchdown drive with a two point conversion to head into the break up 8-1.

In the third quarter, again it was the defence coming up big, blocking a fourth down kick to give Orangeville excellent field position at the Warriors 30.

A toss from Manning across the middle to Scott Rowsell followed by a Mississauga penalty put the ball on the one yard line.

On the next play, Jeremy Wick would scamper in for six on a sweep to the left while Millard successfully kicked the convert to tie the game at 8-8.

A huge sack by Outlaws David Griffiths cost Mississauga 20 yards on their next third down, again forcing them to turn over the ball to Orangeville.

With the wind at his back Manning continued going to the air with success to move the ball.

A counter right to Daniel Borley put Orangeville within striking distance again, this time, just inside the Warriors 20.

A pass from Manning to Jesse Swan in the end zone and another conversion from Millard sent the teams into the third with Orangeville ahead 15-8.

Not finished yet, Mississauga quarterback Alistar Codrington had a few tricks of his own left early in the fourth.

Lining up in a shotgun formation, Orangeville knew the pass was coming but were unable to catch Nicola Iozzo down range, who caught the ball and strolled in from the Orangeville five for the touchdown. A two point conversion followed and again Orangeville found themselves behind heading into the final minutes of the game.

Again it was Wick coming out of the Orangeville backfield doing the damage for the Outlaws. Getting outside at the Warriors 45, he carried the ball down to the 30 for an Orangeville first down.

After a nine yard gain on the second down, Billy Myers carried the ball through the middle to earn another first down at the 17.

Manning called his own number next, breaking out on the left to put Orangeville first and goal on the Warrior five.

Wick found himself with the ball again, weaving his way through the line to score his second touchdown while Manning ran it in for two on the extra point to go up 23- 16 with just over four minutes to play.

Mississauga would threaten in the final 60 seconds of play but the Outlaw defence stood tall and Orangeville hung on for the win.

Outlaws coach Jack Brooks was simple in his comments on the game, "It was a beautiful way to start".

He is pleased with the way the team is gelling with a lot of new faces in the roster this year as well as playing for a brand new coaching staff. "This was an all around effort from everyone on both the defence and offence, the boys really earned this win."