The A.B. Lucas Vikings hoisting the WOSSAA championship trophy
The A.B. Lucas Vikings are WOSSAA champions, defeating the Catholic Central Crusaders 24-17 in the championship game at TD Stadium.
“This team has been getting better every week and they play for each other,” beamed an emotional Pat Barnett – Head Coach of the Vikings – after the game.
It was a rematch of the 2018 WOSSAA finals. CCH won last year’s contest 41-27 over the Vikings – their first title in three years.
This time went the way of the Vikings.
“The reason it feels good is [because] we’ve got a bunch of guys here who have been playing and they’re in their fifth year and they’re going off to university next year and this was kind of the missing piece of hardware in the trophy cabinet,” said Barnett on avenging last year’s loss.
It was far from a perfect start for the Vikings. Their first play from scrimmage resulted in an interception from Raeshawn Blake. The two-way receiver and defensive back committed to Western University earlier in the week and came up with an interception on his future home field. The turnover resulted in an early Crusaders touchdown.
The Vikings were able to weather the storm. Sam Spoelstra hauled in a 30-yard connection from Matt Jaquith on the ensuing drive, resulting in a field goal for Lucas.
The Vikings got their first lead early in the second quarter. The Crusaders attempted a flea-flicker play but it resulted in a Will Adam interception. Patrick Murphy ran a screen pass into the Crusader’s red zone, which was then capped off with Jaquith finding Jamie Lane in the end zone.
The Lucas Vikings (blue) shake hands with the Catholic Central Crusaders (white)
CCH opened the third quarter with a bang. Keegan Vanek ran the second-half kickoff back 80-yards, setting the Crusaders up with glorious field position. Vanek punched it in to give his team a 14-10 lead.
The Vikings’ defence got them back into it. Mack Baker came up with an interception in the fourth quarter which gave Lucas good field position. Jamie Lane ended up with his second TD of the evening to put his squad up again 17-14. The Vikings were able to tack on one more touchdown to make it a two-score game courtesy of Sam Spoelstra.
As the Crusaders were attempting a late comeback, they found themselves on a second and short inside Vikings territory. Faking a QB sneak, they pulled it out and went for the pass. Mack Baker read it all the way and made the interception.
“I saw the double seam on either side and I know from experience playing quarterback to try to look off that safety so I did a little fake move left and I jumped that right side,” explains Baker on his crucial interception that came in the final three minutes.
Baker finished the evening with three total turnovers – two interceptions and a fumble recovery. He and the Vikings defence had to make one more stop late in the game as the Crusaders were making a final push for the end zone.
“I really think that we just all came together for this game and we just went off. We had their plays down, we knew what was coming, and we went off,” said Baker on his team’s defensive preparation.
The @ABLucasVikings hold on to win 24-17 over the @crusaderBLUE for the WOSSAA championship. pic.twitter.com/s04lgFJ3V9
— XFM Sports (@SportsXFM) November 21, 2019
While the Vikings defence did their part, so too did their offence. Jamie Lane and Sam Spoelstra were their two top weapons and they accounted for all 24 Vikings points (Spoelstra also kicks field goals).
“It’s not easy. You’re playing a very well-organized, very strong CCH team,” explains Pat Barnett on how he got his top guns open. “Our best players were our best players. Everybody stepped up…They took the game by the scruff of the neck and decided that it’s our time.”
Patrick Murphy was named the game’s MVP. He was instrumental on both sides of the ball for the Vikings as both a defensive back and a running back.
The Vikings will now play Huron Heights in the OFSAA West Bowl held in Hamilton.
