The Pionniers of Cégep de Rimouski maintain control of their playoff destiny following a 46-14 victory over the Couguars in Chicoutimi on Sunday. With one regular-season game remaining for each team in the Northeast section of Division 3, the Pionniers hold a 5-2 record, placing them ahead of 4-3 Thetford in the standings.
Path to the second seed
The Pionniers can secure the second position in the Northeast section by winning their final home game next Sunday against La Pocatière. Should the Pionniers lose that matchup, Thetford would claim the second seed provided they defeat the Couguars at home, as Thetford currently holds the tiebreaker advantage between the two clubs. The Couguars are scheduled to face the Filons on Friday night, a result that will clarify the requirements for the Pionniers before they take the field.
Special teams spark victory
Liam Paquet earned player of the match honors for Rimouski, contributing two touchdowns in the win. While the team’s opening drive resulted in a score by Maxime Tardif, the momentum was largely established by Paquet’s performance on special teams. According to an interview with Journal Le Soir, Louis-David Goulet noted that the team did not begin the match as planned, but the special teams unit provided the necessary lift in the first half.
“We really didn’t start the game the way we hoped, but the special teams helped us in the first half with two big punt returns from Liam Paquet, including one that put us on the 1-yard line, then the other for a touchdown,” Goulet said. “Things started rolling offensively and defensively in the second half, and we never looked back.”
Pionniers scorers help secure victory
Nicolas Rioux, Anthony Gagnon, and Olivier Picard also recorded touchdowns for the Pionniers. By halftime, Rimouski had established an 18-7 lead, maintaining that cushion throughout the remainder of the contest. Other results in the Northeast section saw Jonquière defeat La Pocatière 49-33, while Thetford secured a 32-7 victory over Mérici.
Preparation for the season finale
The upcoming match against La Pocatière carries significance for the final bracket positioning. Earlier this season, the Pionniers defeated the Gaulois 42-32 at home. Despite returning several veterans from a high-performing 2025 roster, the team has faced challenges with injuries this year. Coach Goulet emphasized the physical nature of their opponents, noting that the team is prioritizing a rigorous week of preparation to close out the schedule.
Playoff timeline
If the Pionniers secure the second-place finish, they will host their first playoff game at the Complexe sportif Guillaume-Leblanc. The league has scheduled the opening round of the postseason for November 7 or November 8. A home playoff game would mark the first time the Pionniers have hosted a postseason contest at the synthetic field since the 2018 season.
Keep reading
