NEWS PHOTO RYAN MCCRACKEN The Crescent Heights Vikings attempt a short kick against the WH Croxford Cavaliers during a provincial high school football game at the Methanex Bowl on Saturday, Nov. 9,2019
A huge comeback propelled the Crescent Heights Vikings to the semifinal round of their high school football playoffs.
Now, they’re facing the same task the team they beat did; but at least they know the impossible is possible this time of year.
“I challenged our guys and told them that in provincial football, you have to assume that every team’s going to show up and play their best game,” said Vikings coach Sean Davis, whose side needed overtime to beat Airdrie’s W.X. Croxford 22-21 in an incredible Tier 3 quarter-final at the Methanex Bowl Saturday. “Luckily, we were able to rebound in the second half and make a game out of it.”
Croxford wasn’t even supposed to be in the game, but got the call two weeks ago that Calgary-based Rundle College was out for reasons nobody seems to know.
“They said it’s against Crescent Heights, and I said even better. I know all those kids pretty much,” said Cavaliers head coach Josiah Donahue, who just so happens to be a Crescent Heights alumnus. “I brought that underdog mentality to the squad and they really bought in. We had a great fight, I’m very proud of them and the effort.”
Donahue became head coach two weeks ago due to illness affecting the prior coach. He added offensive coordinator duties in the unexpected playoff game because another coach had booked his honeymoon before the call to replace Rundle came in.
His knowledge of the Vikings’ schemes and personnel certainly came in handy as the Cavs built a 21-0 lead. Keshawn Glasgow-Davis had two rushing touchdowns, while quarterback Blake Kliesinger had another on the ground.
Davis needed a turnaround speech for the ages at the half.
“It really just came down to making the situation real for them,” said Davis. “I explained to them that there’s a number of guys in the room, if that game continued on as it was that they might never play football again.
“They came back and rallied and stepped up to the challenge that I presented them.”
Garrett Little got the ball rolling with a touchdown, then Bradon Dechaine made it a one-score game early in the fourth quarter.
An ankle injury to Cavs star Glasgow-Davis also helped.
“We just couldn’t bring back that same attack as we had before, and their defence really stepped up and gave it right back to us,” said Donahue.
Following a Nolan Saville interception return to the six-yard line, Little punched it in and Devin Driedger kicked the extra point for a 21-21 tie.
After winning the coin toss and choosing to start overtime with the first possession, Driedger’s attempt to punt for a single missed. But Crescent Heights’ defence continued its late-game dominance, forcing a second set of OT possessions.
This time, Driedger successfully punted the ball through the end-zone from 35 yards out and forced Croxford to score to keep the game going. Instead of trying for a single of their own on third down, Donahue went for broke, but it wasn’t to be.
Now, the Vikings head to the Tier 3 South final Saturday in Cochrane, where the Cobras have won the last five provincial titles, 12 of the last 17 and only recently had a record 40-plus game win streak snapped. They are huge favourites; but then, W.H. Croxford wasn’t supposed to push Crescent Heights, either.
“That’s the greatest thing about the game of football, is anybody can win on any given day,” said Davis, whose team has never been to a Tier 3 final. “They’re arguably the best football team (in Alberta) regardless of tier… they’re well coached and they execute. They don’t make a lot of mental mistakes and if they do, those are things we have to capitalize on.
“We need to come out and play our best game to have a shot, but every game is winnable.”
