Mohawks derailed by Catholic Central in South Zone championship

By Mo Cranker on November 3, 2018.

mcranker@medicinehatnews.com @MHNmocranker

It all came down to one kick Friday night during the South Zone championships at the Methanex Bowl.

The Medicine Hat High School Mohawks took on Lethbridge’s Catholic Central Cougars and fell 25-23 after missing a field goal with five seconds left to play.

“It was a great game,” said Mohawks head coach Quinn Skelton. “That was a barnburner and those guys came to play tonight — hats off to them.

“It’s always a hell of a matchup and that was a great game.”

The Mohawks got out to an early lead with a field goal and a touchdown in the first quarter and took a 10-0 lead into the second quarter.

Lethbridge was able to get a touchdown and a field goal of their own late in the second and added one point by kicking to the endzone on a kickoff — taking an 11-10 lead into the half.

“We got off to a hot start early in the game but we left some points on the board — we probably shoulda-woulda had another touchdown and another field goal, but that’s how it goes,” said Skelton. “They (Catholic Central) rallied, and good on them.”

The Cougars got another touchdown early in the second taking a 18-10 lead into the final frame.

Lethbridge was able to force multiple turnovers through fumbles and interceptions throughout the game — turnovers, paired with bad penalties didn’t help the Mohawks’ cause, says Skelton.

“A couple of fumbles and bad snaps did hurt us,” said Skelton. “When we go back and watch the video on this one I think we’ll be wishing we could go back and do a couple plays differently — but that’s obviously not how it works.

“I’m very proud of the guys for not giving up at any point.”

The Mohawks grabbed a touchdown early in the fourth quarter and were able to get a successful two-point conversion — making it 18-18.

Lethbridge answered right back with Will Hughes taking a kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown, taking a 25-18 lead.

“That’s the first time all year someone has brought a kick back on us,” said Skelton. “(Hughes) is an unbelievable player and he showed it tonight — he played us well on every side of the ball.”

The Mohawks settled for a field goal minutes later and got another couple points thanks to a safety to get within two points of the Cougars.

“We got ourselves into good position there at the end but couldn’t get the field goal to go,” said Skelton. “It’s now how we wanted to end the year but we battled.”

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