Bears crowned NDA Senior Boys Football Champs (Photos)

The Scollard Hall Bears celebrate their NDA Championship title. Photo By: Todd Vandonk

The Scollard Hall Bears ran the ball effectively on their way to capturing the NDA title with a 31-20 victory over the West Ferris Trojans Saturday afternoon. The win completes the Bears successful season and proves that they were the best NDA senior boy’s football team from start to finish.

“We’ve been working so hard for this, those kids worked so hard and the coaching staff too. When it all comes together like this it’s a great feeling, “said head coach John Whittet.

After the first quarter ended at a 0-0 tie, the NDA final looked as if it was going to be a defensive battle on the wet and slippery grass at Cundari Field. The chilly weather and muddy field led to both offenses punting the ball on their first drive.

A Trojans blocked punt late in the first quarter gave the visiting team great field advantage, leading to the games’ first major. With the ball in the Bears red zone, the Trojans put the football in their backs hands three times to set up a David Stanizewski run up the gut for the touchdown and 7-0 nothing lead.

On the Bears next drive, Justin Digiglio helped his cause for the leagues MVP honors by getting to the outside for a 70 yard TD run that tied the game at seven.

Not be out done by Digiglio, Trojans running back Sandy Burke carried his team back to the end zone with three straight carries on the sweep play, which landed his team the 14-7 lead.

A Scollard punt on the next drive set up the Trojans on their own 45 yard line, giving them a chance to grab a fourteen point lead heading into half-time. However, the elements started to take over and the Trojans would turnover the ball with a fumble. With 56 seconds left before half-time, the Bears took over possession of the ball and had a chance to tie the game and shift the momentum.

The Trojans defense was on their way to holding the Bears powerful offense until they were flagged for illegal contact, giving the Bears a new set of downs. After two Digiglio runs, the Bears called on Kevin Clayton’s number for the one yard plunge that tied the game at fourteen as the first half finished.

“We turned over the ball and gave them a short field at the wrong time and they scored right before the end of the first half. That was critical in terms of the momentum swing and we just couldn’t get on track in the second half. We ran into some field position problems and they came at us harder in the second half than the first. You half to give them credit. They started to dominate us on both lines of scrimmage," said Trojans head coach Larry Tougas.

A bad punt on the Trojans first drive of the second half set up good field position for second string quarterback Ben Carriere. Carriere replaced Clayton in the second half after the starter went down on his goal line push that tied the game.

“It was a huge turning point. I went over to Ben and said you won a junior championship for us two years ago and it’s your time. He said no problem coach and that’s what he did. He went out and had a touchdown drive that changes the game,” said Whittet.

Carriere looked like a veteran behind center, marching the offensive down the field with his arm and legs. The former junior quarterback would be rewarded for his play by rushing into the end zone on the quarterback’s keep.

On the preceding kick off, Chris Uttaro’s kick reached the end zone, setting up bad field position for the Trojans and a quick three and out for the Bears defense. With Clayton back in the game the Bears moved the football back into the red zone but were stopped on a fourth and one from about five yards out.

Another Trojans three and out gave the Bears offense the ball back and they would make use of it by kicking the three point convert to extend their lead to eleven points at the start of the fourth quarter.

The “never say die” Trojans made use of their next drive after the Bears defense was called for defensive interference. Sandy Burke pulled his team within five points with a run down the middle for the touchdown, setting up an exciting finish.

Down five with time running out the Trojans decided to go with an onside kick, which Bears Carriere took care of by securing the ball while taking on a big hit. The failed onside kick put the football in Trojans territory, leading to another strong drive on the ground that finished with a Digiglio touchdown.

A disgruntled Trojans team mustered up one more push, collecting a first down before turning the ball over on downs to the 2006/07 NDA champs.