When Josh Gauthier sees a little light at the end of the tunnel, there is no stopping the speedy running back.
Gauthier compiled 324 all-purpose yards and scored a pair of touchdowns to spark the Sault Sabercats to a 38-14 win over the winless Huronia Stallions at Rocky DiPietro Field Saturday night.
With the win, the Sabercats improve to 3-2 and maintain a hold of the final playoff spot in the Ontario Varsity Football League's Adams Division, comprised of the loop's eight western teams. Huronia falls to 0-4-1.
The Sabercats are in a race with the Lambton Lions and London Falcons for the final two playoff spots. The top four teams qualify for post-season play.
Anthony Posteraro opened the scoring in a slow first half by hitting a field goal from 38 yards out. Posteraro would also convert all five of his extra point attempts.
Gauthier, who rushed the ball for 238 yards, caught a pass for 17 yards and returned a punt 69 yards, put the Sabercats up 10-1 on an 11 yard touchdown run. The scoring drive was set up by a 60 pass from quarterback Travis McLean to Mike Sullivan.
While penalties were a problem for the Sabercats at times during the game, a contacting the holder penalty by the locals after a missed field goal attempt allowed the Stallions a closer look and they converted to pull to within six at 10-4 to close the half. In all, the Sabercats were assessed 120 yards in penalties on 13 calls.
The second half provided an offensive show as Huronia, showing no signs of being a winless club that had only scored 22 totals points in the first four weeks, took an 11-10 lead on a 16 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kendall Scott to Patrick Mercer.
Mark Palombi, who would finish the game with 82 rushing yards on 10 carries from his fullback position, put the Sabercats in the lead for good at 17-11 on a one yard scoring run. After another Stallion field goal to close the third quarter, Palombi capped the ensuing drive with a two yard run.
With less than a minute to go in the game, Gauthier broke open a huge 85 yard touchdown run. On the game's closing play, the Sabercats refused to take a knee and ran up the score on an 18 yard touchdown pass from McLean to Kyle Gauthier.
McLean would finish completing four of 14 passes for 100 yards. With the 100 yards, the Sabercats finished with 433 yards total offense and gained 20 first downs in total.
Adam Ross had a spectacular game defensively with five tackles while being found around the ball on almost every play. Jeff Maki and Sean Pratt recorded 4.5 tackles each. Joel Aro was also solid with four tackles while also seeing time on offense at fullback.
The Sabercats will play their final home game of the regular season this Saturday against the London Falcons. Game time is 7 p.m. at Rocky DiPietro Field.