The best of 6-Aside football was on display as the Clavet Cougars hosted the Wakaw Warriors in the 2A championship on November 13, The game didn’t disappoint as the teams kept fans on their feet until the last second as Wakaw came away with a 72-64 victory.
Post-game, the winning coach Darryl Dicksen let the game speak for itself. He said, “It is as close competition that we have seen. Any one could have won. Both teams were that close. It was just a shoutout, both offenses were really good.”
Four players had a special story in becoming provincial champions. Jordan Trischuk, Trevor Regush, Ty Holmes and Nathan Rausch are grade 11 students at Aberdeen School. Since Aberdeen no longer have a football program they signed a co-op agreement to play for Wakaw. This allowed them to play a sport they love.
Coach Carter Haryett shared what they meant to the football program. He said,“They brought alot. We wouldn’t be here without them. They filled in positions really good.”
He added,“The guys had to drive to Wakaw to practice. With the gas money and time involved, they had to commit to the team and they are really great players.”
Post-game Jordan Trischuk shared his feelings on the battle. He stated, “That was pretty intense. It was neck and neck and glad to come out on top!”
Back and forth can only describe the game.
Clavet opened the scoring on after quarterback Trey Geobel scored on a one yard sneak capping off a long drive setup by an Oakland Flodell interception.
Wakaw matched that score when Lorrin Leblanc jumped a pass route and took the interception for a touchdown.
Goebel scored his second touchdown on a five yard touchdown run.
Wakaw quarterback Griffin Leblanc matched this with a touchdown run of his own.
In the second quarter Wakaw took their first lead with a little razzle dazzle. The quarterback gave the ball to Ty Holmes who instead of running around the end stopped and tossed a 20 yard touchdown strike to Trevor Regush.
Clavet receiver Brock Dufort tied the game scoring on a long pass.
Griffin Leblanc scored on another quarterback keeper. Dufort tied the game again. This time grabbing a short pass and with some great running after the catch he was able to find the endzone, making the score 32-32 at the half.
The back and forth continued in the second half.
Dufort caught a 15 yard touchdown pass to give Clavet the lead in the third quarter.
Early in the fourth quarter Wakaw responded when Griffin Leblanc scrambled for a 18 yard touchdown run.
Dufort gave Clavet another lead on a six yard touchdown run.
Trevor Regush caught his second touchdown pass of the game to tie game at 48-48.
Clavet responded with a 31 yard touchdown pass to Tyler Walker.
Regush scored his third touchdown with a very determined 14 yard run to make score 56-56.
With time winding the action got real exciting.
Wakaw’s defence came up big, stopping Clavet on a third and one yard gamble to take over on Clavet’s 34 yard line. They took advantage of this with a touchdown pass to Michael Burechailo.
Clavet quickly responded with a long pass to Dufort, followed by a touchdown pass to Asher Thomas-McEacheran.
With 32.7 seconds left, Griffin Leblanc hit Lorrin Leblanc streaking down the sideline for a 65 yard catch and run for a 72-64 Wakaw lead.
Clavet attempted to move back down the field to tie the game. Wakaw’s defence was up to the task. Lorrin Leblanc completed an unique final minute double header as he intercepted a Clavet pass on the last play to seal the win for the Warriors.
While the game had been a display of two high powered offences, Wakaw’s defensive coordinator Carter Haryett was pleased with his squad’s efforts.
“There are a lot of really good guys there, and they played really hard, said Haryett. “We had to hold there at the end , and did a good job of locking down and stopping them from getting that last points to tie it up.”
The win was Wakaw’s first provincial 2A 6-Aside championship.
In the 1A 6-Aside championship Hafford defeated the visiting Carrot River team 54-31 to take the title.