It might not have been the game plan the coaching staff drew up, but the West Ferris Trojans weathered the St. Joseph Scollard Hall Bears’ storm and emerged as NDA Senior Football champions Friday night at the Steve Omischl Sports Complex.
The Trojans defeated the Bears 23-18 in a wild game on a cold October night in front of a packed and boisterous house. With the win, the Trojans extend their NDA championship dynasty to four consecutive years. They’ll face the Sudbury champions on November 2 in NOSAA semi-finals in North Bay at the Steve Omischl Sports Complex (game time to be announced).
On Friday night, the Bears came out swinging, taking a 1-0 lead on the opening kickoff, and following that up with a touchdown pass on their first offensive possession to go up 8-0. They would hold that lead for most of the game, until the Trojans broke a tackle on a punt return for long yards that put them in the red zone. The Trojans converted that gain into a touchdown at 3:07 of the fourth quarter to take the lead 23-18. From there, the Trojans’ defence took over and the Bears were unable to put up any more points.
The Bears played effective bend-but-don’t break defence for much of the game, with two red zone interceptions, including one in the end zone, and a fumble recovery on the 35-yard line in the third quarter.
The fourth quarter started with a Bears touchdown pass from Owen Webb to Ashton Gravelle for a 18-10 Bears lead.
From there, the big game experience of the Trojans, who have played in NOSAA finals the past four years, took over.
They answered the call with a touchdown off a broken play when Trojans running back Brayden Campbell scooped up a fumbled ball and passed into the endzone, closing the score to 18-16. Though the Trojans missed the two-point conversion, they would eventually get the ball back, take the lead and win the game.
“That’s football, it was a crazy last three minutes and it seemed like an eternity. Both sides played really well and we were fortunate to come out on top,” said Trojans head coach Mark Robertson. “Our message to the kids tonight was simply ‘one play at a time, keep believing in the system and good things will happen,’ and they did. There kids don’t seem to get too rattled about situations, its been like that all year, they are very resilient. We’ve got a lot of experience, some NOSSA champs in the room, and those guys don’t get rattled. In big games you want your experienced players to step up and they did that tonight. What more can you ask?”
“We came out with a ton of energy and the guys were playing great football. It was good game, bit of a broken play there and they scored the touchdown and that was it. That’s high school football,” said Bears head coach John Whittet. “I’m very proud of these guys. We had 25 rookies on the team and they played their hearts out. They have no reason to hang their heads.”
This championship game was a special one for Whittet, who is due to retire this year.
“It’s been a long and great career and I’ve enjoyed it very much. It’s over but it’s been a great run,” he said. “I’ve received so many messages from former players and coaches and teammates, it was a real special feeling. I want to thank them all for the warm wishes and keep supporting Bears football.”
