Titans hold on for 22-15 football championship victory
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Holy Trinity Titans are 2023 secondary school football champions.
The team lifted the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Non-CWOSSA Varsity football championship trophy Saturday after defeating Simcoe Composite School Sabres 22-15.
The home team took a 7-0 first-quarter lead, but Simcoe Composite equalized in the second. Holy Trinity regained the lead late in the second quarter, then added a decisive short-yardage touchdown in the third – and convert – to make it 22-7.
An injury to Simcoe Composite’s punter, which required an ambulance, at 3:56 of the third quarter, delayed the game. Both teams gathered on the field for a prayer before continuing.
“It was kind of hard to get back into the flow,” said Holy Trinity’s Logan Mark. “But when we got three picks (interceptions) we hopped back into that game pretty quickly. Those really sealed the win for us.”
It was far from over, however. Holy Trinity’s lead shrunk to one touchdown when SCS scored with three minutes remaining, and jammed a two-point convert up the middle on sheer strength and determination.
“It’s not over yet, it’s not over yet!” shouted Simcoe Composite quarterback Malachi Awad rushing back to the sidelines.
Sabres’ short kickoff was bobbled and retrieved by SCS at Trinity’s 35-yard line. It could have been a turning point.
“It felt amazing, an adrenaline rush,” said Awad after the game. “All the boys knew the team could still win.”
The Sabres final drive ended with about 43 seconds left to play on an interception.
“I think the one thing about our team, there’s no ‘give up,’” said Sabres coach Rick Sharpe, recalling a semifinal comeback win with 1:01 left on the clock. “We truly believed…”
“It’s four quarters,” nodded Simcoe Composite offensive coordinator Owen Van Dyk. “If you’re down after two, you’ve got two more quarters left. Last week against McKinnon Park we were down 6-0 for the first three quarters of the game. But, again, it’s a four-quarter game… and that’s what we do. We play football.”
“There was a little bit of a waver there, but we were confident in our abilities and able to go out there and perform,” said Holy Trinity’s Andrew O’Neail, who had two interceptions.
“We were confident in our defence. We knew if we could shut down Easton (Powell), then we could come out on top. Our defence was ready today – Easton is a great player, but we were ready for him and I think we did a pretty good job containing him.”
Holy Trinity’s special teams also improved since their loss to the Sabres in Week 2, said O’Neail.
“That last interception was by Chase Bacher,” said Holy Trinity coach Tyler Backus. “He had a heck of a game. And our veterans, we’re really going to miss them, but they could not have finished any better. It was such a great game, a hard-fought game and hopefully their (injured) player is all good.
“Our guys really worked hard together, an awesome group,” Backus concluded. “I would have to say this our best team we’ve had here at this school. A great, great group. Amazing.”
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