Repeat! Knights win as Posteraro boots OT field goal
The St. Mary's Knights have repeated as the Northern Ontario Secondary Schools Association champions and the win came in dramatic fashion.
The Knights, the local city champions, needed a 24 yard field goal from Andrew Posteraro, his first of the season, in overtime to defeat North Bay's West Ferris Trojans 17-14 in North Bay on Saturday afternoon for the NOSSA crown.
With the win, the Knights advance to the Central Bowl to defend their championship which will be held at Toronto's Skydome on November 21.
The Knights found themselves behind 14-0 in the second quarter as North Bay's David Peace scored a 14 yard touchdown and Jason Partridge ran in from two yards out.
Kayvon Fatemizadeh scored both Knight's touchdowns in a come back to set-up the overtime period.
Fatemizadeh scored on a 95 yard kickoff return in the second quarter before running the ball into the end zone from two yards out in the third quarter.
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The following is the full story found in SooToday's sister site, BayToday.ca, in North Bay.
Trojans lose game in overtime
By Gerry Desormeau BayToday.ca Sunday, November 02, 2003 The West Ferris Trojans had their chance to win the Northern Ontario Secondary School Athletics senior football championship Saturday. They faced a fourth and one at the Knights 10-yard line with just over four minutes left to play.
The score was tied 14-14.
Quarterback Daniel Weber of the Trojans called his own number and didn't make that yard. The Sault Ste. Marie St. Mary's Knights drew a large sigh of relief and ran out the clock, sending the game into sudden death overtime.
It was over quickly.
The Trojans started at the Knights' 35 under the rules and Weber's pass on first down was intercepted by Matt Chlebus of the Knights at the 18.
"I can't fault Daniel on the play," said head coach Larry Tougas of the Trojans. "We tried a little play action. Daniel thought he could feather the pass in there. I'll never second guess him. He had a big game for us."
The Knights then took their turn starting at the 35 and moved the ball to the 15 where Andrew Posteraro kicked a 24-yard field goal, his first of the season, to nail down a 17-14 victory.
"It was a very good game between two very good teams," said Marty Smith, head coach of the Knights. "We were fortunate to win in overtime."
"Those were two very good teams out there," Tougas said. "In retrospect, we should have gone for the single point, but there was a lot of time left."
"We are used to these tough games," said Smith. "The Soo league is tough and we are battled tested."
Posteraro was very calm and collected, talking about his kick.
"It's my first field goal of the season," he said. "It we as basically a chip shot. There was pressure, but our line blocked well."
The Trojans rolled into a 14-0 lead by the 6.02 mark of the second quarter when the game changed.
Kayvon Fatemizadeh took the kickoff at his own 15 after the Trojans second TD and went the length of the field to put his club right back into the thick of things.
"That was a big play for sure," said Smith. "We didn't want to fall behind by three touchdowns because I don't know if we could have come back. "We pride ourselves as a team with speed, knowing we are always one play away from the end zone."
"We tried to keep the ball away from Kayvon and Kyle Dugas," said Tougas. "Unfortunately the ball went right to him and he took it all the way. I thought their special teams may have been just a little better than ours today. "But our defence played well," he said. " They didn't drive the ball at us. Except for the kickoff and a punt return, I thought we played well. "I'll think of not going for the point for some time," he said. "Looking back, yes, we should have kicked for the single point. It's my mistake and I will live with it."
Misfortune struck the Trojans during that drive as Kyle Handley went down with a suspected broken left leg at the 5:26 mark of the fourth quarter.
David Peace went in from 14 yards out for the Trojans first touchdown in the first quarter and Jason Partridge barged over from three yards out in the second frame. Riley Armstrong converted both scores.
The Knights tied the game at 14-14 when Fatemazadeh went over for his second touchdown from two yards out in the third quarter.
Posteraro had two converts.
The Knights, who won the Poupore Cup last year in the Sault, were presented with the hardware after the game. They are also defending Central Bowl champs and will be playing a team from southern Ontario Nov. 21 at the SkyDome in Toronto. ***********************************************************