It wasn’t even close.
A well-coached and highly-disciplined Team North executed in all three phases of the game to come away with a 47-7 win over Team South in the 2023 Senior Bowl at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon on May 28.
The game started out with both teams exchanging punts. The North finally got on the scoreboard on a 34 yard field goal by Holy Cross Crusaders’ Lukas Scott.
Things began to unravel for Team South as the quarter ended. The North special teams and defence had hemmed the South deep. As the South attempted to kick their way out of trouble, the punter’s knee was down as he fielded a low snap, giving the North the ball on the 14 yard line on the last play of the quarter.
To start the second quarter the North moved the ball to the seven yard line. On a third down gamble it looked like the South had avoided disaster as the North’s pass fell incomplete. But the South were called for being offside. Given new life, Biggar Blazers quarterback Hayden McMahon hit St. Joseph’s receiver Thomas Jule for a touchdown.
After a great punt return by Melfort Comets’ Hudson South set the North up on the South’s 23 yard line, St. Joseph running back Taylor Kopas was able to break away from a tackle and scamper to the end zone.
The North added to their lead when the North’s Game MVP, Prince Albert Carlton’s Tazmin Smith-Windsor scooped up a fumble at mid-field and scored on a 45 yard return.
Special teams and the defence trapped the South deep, forcing them to take a two point safety, making the score 26-0 at halftime.
The South showed signs of life as they battled back and scored on the opening drive of the second half; following that up by recovering the on-side kick on the resulting kickoff.
They were able to move the ball down the field and looked like they were going to score before the defence forced a fumble. Delisle Rebels Zaden Taylor scooped up the ball and was able to move the ball up field. The South was assessed a piling-on penalty on their tackle, giving the North even better field position.
This took the wind out of the South’s sails as they were never really in the game after that.
Thomas Jule caught his second receiving touchdown. Holy Cross quarterback Jake Farrell completed the scoring with a pair of one yard plunges in the fourth quarter.
Area teams contributed big roles in the North’s victory. Delisle Rebels Ty Pylypow was the offensive coordinator and receiver coach. Clavet Cougars Brendan O’Reilly coached the defensive backs. On the field, Delisle Rebels Tobin Kirkness and Martensville Royals Tristan Scott anchored the interior of the offensive line. Zaden Taylor was spectacular in his work as safety and on special teams coverage. Aberdeen’s Ty Holmes, who helped the Wakaw Warriors reach the last two provincial finals in six-aside football, provided great blocking on the punt return team and made one of the highlight reel diving catches on offence.