The Sir James Dunn Eagles needed a strong defensive effort to fly past a pesky bunch of Vikings.
Entering the game as heavy favourites, the Eagles were handed a stiffer challenge then expected in a 14-3 win over Sudbury's Lockerby Vikings in the Northern Ontario Secondary Schools Association (NOSSA) football semi-final game on Saturday afternoon at Rocky DiPietro Field.
With the victory, the Eagles advance into next Saturday's NOSSA final against a North Bay representative at Rocky DiPietro Field beginning at 1 p.m.
The NOSSA champion will advance to the Central Bowl to face the Georgian Bay Secondary Schools Association champion at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo on Saturday, November 20.
The loser of the NOSSA final will also head to Laurier to play in the inaugural Northern Bowl against a representative from Thunder Bay.
Lockerby's presence at the game marked the first time in 10 years that a Sudbury school has participated in NOSSA football.
Despite having control on offense for the majority of the game, which was played in four 15 minute quarters, the Eagles struggled to score points. Turnovers, missed opportunities and key stops by the Vikings defense kept the score respectable.
"It's obvious that football is alive and well in Sudbury," said Eagles head coach Tom Keenan. "They are a big team that never quit the entire game. From scouting, it didn't look like that on tape but obviously they are headed in the right direction."
Dave McFadden opened the scoring for SJD on the first play of the second quarter with an eight yard reception from quarterback Frank Weise.
Lockerby answered on the next possession with their lone score of the game on a 28 yard field goal from John Hussack.
Mike Beharriell, who had an excellent game at the linebacker position, scored his first ever touchdown on a 10 yard interception return late in the third quarter.
Matt Irving booted both converts for the Eagles.
"Our defense was outstanding once again but offensively we didn't score when we should have," said Keenan. "Our red zone play was terrible and from that perspective we need to improve. But we worked hard all game and our exceptional defense got us the win.
"Sudbury came ready to play and gave us a tougher game than we'd thought even though we preached not to take them lightly. Maybe we gambled when we should have went for points but obviously we would like to work on scoring in the red zone."
Kofi Osei led the Eagles rushing attack, which gained 291 yards as a team, with 127 yards on 25 carries while Peter McGonegal added 74 yards on 13 carries and Nigel Milne 71 yards on 13 carries. Weise completed three of nine passes for 29 yards including a 17 yard strike to D.J. Idehen.
Beharriell added 7.5 tackles, a sack and a batted ball to his defensive totals while Graham Weija made five tackles and blocked a punt. Luke Tenhagen recovered a fumble while Alex Lemay and Andrew Pothier each recorded a sack.
Neil Petran led the Vikings, who rushed for 101 yards and passed for another 140 yards, with 68 rushing yards on 13 carries. Quarterbacks Adam Brock and Brett McKnight combined to complete 11 of 21 passes for 140 yards to six different receivers.
Defensively for the Vikings, Ben Quinn put on a tackling clinic as the hulking linebacker made 11 tackles and a sack. Kevin Garbuio added 12.5 tackles and Jason Cechinni added 12 tackles. Kyle White recorded an interception while Brice Cameron and Garbuio each recovered a fumble.
*** MORIN PRESENTED OFFICIALS AWARD:
Korah Colts all-purpose star and league most valuable player Jourdan Morin was presented with the 2004 High School Football Officals Award during halftime.
Morin was selected for the award for best combining leadership, ability and sportsmanship. Morin was given a trophy and a $200 education bursary, donated by the local official's association.
*** EAGLES POSTER:
To download the "Get 'Em Eagles" poster designed by SooToday.com, click here.
*** ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:
For addition photos from this game, click on the "Student's Domain" link located on the top left column of this page.
Even more photos can be accessed by clicking the following link: