THUNDER BAY -- The St. Ignatius Falcons were a team of destiny in 2016.
On Saturday the junior football squad added to its dynasty, scoring the first three times it touched the ball en route to a 30-14 win over the Hammarskjold Vikings at Fort William Stadium to secure a fifth straight championship.
The win also upped the St. Ignatius winning streak to 31 games, a streak that dates back to the 2011 semifinal. The five straight titles equals the mark set by the Churchill Trojans from 1983 to 1987.
It’s an amazing feeling, said star running back Alex Gingras, who ended his junior career on a high note with 168 rushing yards and a score and a 68-yard touchdown reception from Jordan Maki on the Falcons first play from scrimmage.
“It was a huge confidence boost, you know. We made a few mistakes, but that’s what set the tone and drove us to the win,” said Gingras, who also had a 68-yard touchdown run late in the fourth called back on a penalty.
Gingras gave full credit for the Falcons football run to the coaching staff, led by Mike Savioli since 2009.
“They pushed us really hard to do our best and to give 100 per cent on everything we do.”
Aaron Puskas, who capped a three-touchdown first quarter with a 45-yard catch-and-run scoring play just 7:37 into the contest, said it was a total team effort.
“I think it means we all did our job and we all performed the best that we could. We all beat the man on the other side of the field and although the Vikings had a great game, we pushed our limits and had a great game too.”
Sandwiched between Maki’s two throwing majors was a Matt Hakala blocked punt, which was pounced on by Mac Sawyer in the Hammarskjold end zone.
The Vikings had their opportunities. Battling the win in the first quarter, they began to move the ball in the second. But after marching them deep into Falcons territory, quarterback Gavin Perkins’ pass was picked off in the St. Ignatius end zone by Tyler Hamre, stymieing their scoring opportunity.
Late in the second Perkins hit Quinn Siver between the numbers for what appeared to be a touchdown, but he couldn’t hang on and the Falcons led 21-0 at the half.
The Vikings – one of just two teams to score a touchdown against the Falcons during the regular season – were at it again to start the second half, finally getting on the board when Perkins connected with Roddy Wigwas, going over the top for a one-yard score.
But less than two minutes later Gingras turned on the afterburners and ran 51 yards untouched for the Falcons fourth touchdown of the day and a 27-7 lead.
Wigwas would add a second receiving touchdown to his total early in the fourth, a 25-yard pass from Perkins, who finished with 200 yards passing on the day. But it was as close as they'd come the rest of the way.
Leo Pernia capped the scoring with a 16-yard field goal with just 2:41 to play.
Savioli said it’s a special feeling getting that fifth ring.
“The fact that we tied Churchill’s record, that means a lot to us. These players have just come in with tremendous talent. We’re very fortunate to get to coach them and we couldn’t be more proud of the way they carried themselves all season,” Saviola said.
