Crescent Heights Vikings' Hudson Stewart stands over a Wildcat player he tackled in Saturday's provincial playoff football game at the Methanex Bowl.
-- NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
It was a busy afternoon of football Saturday in Medicine Hat.
The Crescent Heights Vikings took an early led and held on to beat the visiting Stettler Wildcats 20-2 in their provincial playoff matchup, while the Hat High Hawks fell 35-18 to the Holy Trinity Academy Knights.
Vikings head coach Sean Davis says it was the most complete game his team has played all season and he was happy with the result.
“In provincial football, to score 20 points is huge, especially a tough defensive team like Stettler, couldn’t be happier with the result,” Davis said.
The Vikings led 13-0 at halftime on two rushing touchdowns from Abdul Kiawen. Davis said before the game getting the lead first would be crucial and said afterwards it helped them mentally.
“It’s great to have a lead going into the second half, it’s a little bit of psychological warfare that we don’t have to play from behind,” Davis said. “The kids came to play today, they rallied and we’re super proud of them.”
Across the field, Wildcats head coach Norbert Baharally says he’s proud of his team for not giving up after falling behind early.
“Our guys played well, we gave up some big plays which cost us – right at the end of the first quarter they score and then they scored with I think 20 seconds left in the second quarter,” said Baharally. “I think that was the difference, it deflated us a little bit being down 13-0 at halftime.”
Kiawen, who added a third touchdown halfway through the fourth quarter to cement the win, credited his team, says he’s not done playing football this season and looks forward to the Vikings next provincial game.
“You just gotta step up and make big plays to win the game, it’s all about the win,” Kiawen said. “We did it as a collective group. Our O-line blocked very well, our defence held them to two points and it was a very good matchup.
“It feels so good to win, I’m just not done playing football yet and I’m super ready for Cochrane. Our team has got to practice hard as they are a good team, a good competitive team and hopefully we are ready when we play them next week.”
With the win, the Vikings will hit the road Saturday to take on the Cochrane Cobras in Cochrane. Davis says his team will continue to play aggressive as they look to compete in the provincial finals, held at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.
“We’ve got nothing to lose, just here to play and let the chips fall where they lie,” Davis said. “We are going to be aggressive next week against Cochrane because like I said, we’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain.”
Hat High played right after the Vikings, and suffered a different result. The Hawks came back in the second quarter, with a Brody Fink rushing touchdown, but ultimately fell 35-18 to the Knights.
Head coach Quinn Skelton says he’s proud of his team in their losing effort but penalties and turnovers cost them.
“Disappointed in the fact that we didn’t get through this round but really proud of the boys finishing off and fighting right to the end,” Skelton said. “Penalties and turnovers, that’s the story of the game, there’s no doubt about it. Just proud of the heart that they showed and we were three points away from taking over but tough go.”
Knights head coach Matthew Hassett says he’s proud of his guys and how they focused on stopping the Hawks run game leading to their win.
“We were able to stop it enough and our offence did what it’s done the last few weeks,” Hassett said.
The Hawks finish the season 10-3 and as the Rangeland Football Conference and South Zone champions. Skelton says those titles are great, but there’s still disappointment for his team.
“It’s a great year, happy with that part but disappointed with the boys not getting to go on and our Grade 12’s not getting into provincial finals,” Skelton said. “It is what it is and we’ll learn from it and I think all the boys will respond and they’ll be okay.”
