The Sherbrookois beat the André-Grasset Phénix by 38-37 Saturday evening on the synthetic pitch at Coulter Field, to earn a place in the grand final.
Next Friday, in Trois-Rivières, they will face CNDF, who defeated the Vanier Cheetahs a little earlier Saturday, by a score of 31-11.
The task promises to be important for the Cougars, facing the team from the Quebec region, which had an 8-0 record in the regular season.
Champlain took a 24-21 lead after the first half, before seeing the Phénix take the lead in the game thanks to 16 points in the third quarter.
Pass receiver Isaac Lussier-Roy scored a passing touchdown for the Cougars. (Maxime Picard/La Tribune)
Head coach Jean-François Joncas’ players scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter, while blanking the Phénix, to escape at the last minute with the victory.
The Phoenix offense was very productive, with total gains of 473 yards, compared to 444 for the Cougars.
Pepe Gonzalez, Montreal’s quarterback, completed 21 of his 33 passes for 397 yards, with four touchdown passes and an interception.
In his first college football playoff start, Cougars quarterback Justin Royer completed 22 of 28 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns.
Brothers Isaac and Augustin Lussier-Roy caught his touchdown passes.
On the ground, running back Jerry Momo was once again sparkling, with 181 yards and a touchdown.
CNDF and Champlain faced each other once, and it was the Quebec team which won by 23-20.
