THUNDER BAY – After losing last year’s Superior Secondary Schools Athletic Association senior football championship game by a score of 14-7 to the Hammarskjold Vikings, the Westgate Tigers were eager for a shot at redemption.
They achieved that with ease on Friday night at Fort William Stadium as the Vikings cruised to a 39-7 win over the Vikings in the opening game of the 2024 campaign for both squads.
“These guys had a bad taste in their mouth after the final last year and that drives athletes,” Tigers head coach Michael McNally said.
“They were focussed this week. They knew our opponent and they were hungry. They wanted another shot at the Hammarskjold Vikings.”
Cole McVety led the way for the Tigers.
He was on the receiving end of a 45-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Mitch Papineau, scampered into the endzone from two yards out and kicked a 19-yard field goal.
Lance Basalyga rushed in from three yards out and caught an 11-yard touchdown pass. Tyler Rose had a one-yard run for six points as time expired.
The Tigers also got two points on the board when the Vikings conceded a safety in the third quarter.
“Everything was clicking on our side of the ball,” McNally said.
“The defence was making the big plays and our quarterback (Papineau) and our wide receivers were clicking.”
The Vikings got their lone touchdown on a 40-yard passing play between quarterback Taylor Main and wideout Calvin Shott in the third quarter.
“We’ve left a lot of room for growth there obviously,” Vikings head coach Mike Judge said. “We were pretty rusty coming out of the gates and a little bit banged up, but everybody faces a bit of adversity here.
“We’ve got a great group of kids here and I know they are willing to work. We’re going to put some extra time in and get ready for week two.”
The Vikings will look to enter the win column on Sept. 27 in a 5 p.m. matchup with the St. Ignatius Falcons at Fort William Stadium.
The Tigers return to action at 7 p.m. in the second half of that evening’s doubleheader at the Stadium against the St. Patrick Fighting Saints.
