Portage Cinder-fellas advance to final

The Battle of Undeated Teams

October 31, 2008 - Winnipeg Free Press
Ashley Prest

It will be the battle of the undefeated teams and a historic day for the Portage Trojans when they meet Murdoch McKay Clansmen in the Winnipeg High School Football League's Currie Division championship on Nov. 10.

Portage, in just its second WHSFL season, defeated defending division champion Sisler Spartans 2 28-3 in a Currie Division (A) semifinal on Thursday night at Canad Inns Stadium.

In the earlier Currie semifinal, last year's finalist Murdoch McKay defeated Kildonan East 29-9.

"This just means everything, it's what we wanted to do the whole time. This is just the most exciting thing we've experienced in a long time," said Portage quarterback Ruskin Madill, who started things off for his team with a one-yard rushing touchdown.

"Our whole team makes such an effort on the field, it's a beautiful thing," the Grade 12 student said. "This is my last year for high school football and I want to bring it home."

Devon Kozar and Justin Kilcollins scored rushing touchdowns for Portage while kicker Devon Fourschou booted two field goals, three converts a single to round out the Trojans' scoring.

Portage led 25-0 before Sisler's Kyle Pich kicked a 24-yard field goal in the third quarter.

Both Portage and Murdoch finished with 7-0 records but did not play each other in the regular season.

"I can't say enough about our players and to get to the final in just our second year, it's a dream come true for these kids and as a coach, I'm very happy for them," said Portage head coach Brent Irwin.

Murdoch McKay 29 Kildonan East 9 (Currie A)

Murdoch McKay's A.J. Woznesensky rushed for touchdowns of 12 and 13 yards Thursday to lead the Clansmen to the Currie Division final. His first lifted Murdoch McKay to a 15-6 halftime lead, and Kildonan East couldn't make a comeback.
Brad Erratt and Kurtis Falkenberg scored majors and Robert Skarzyski kicked four converts for Murdoch McKay.

Daniel Harris caught a 20-yard TD pass from Nate Berens early in the game. Brad Mikoluff kicked a 39-yard field goal for the Reivers.

Sturgeon Heights 40 Tec Voc 2 (Vidruk AA)

With last year's Vidruk champion Kelvin Clippers moving up to the AAA Potter Division, the door is open for a new Free Press Bowl champion. Sturgeon Heights is the first to step through to the final.

Anthony Coombs of the Huskies rushed for two touchdowns and caught another while Kienan LaFrance rushed for two other majors. Kicker Andrew Wiebe booted the converts and and a field goal.

Tec Voc led 2-0 early after Sturgeon Heights gave up a safety touch, but and then Tec Voc gave up a safety of their own to knot the score at 2-2.
Sturgeon then ran off with the game as Anthony Coombs scored two rushing touchdowns and had a touchdown reception while Kienan LaFrance recorded a pair of rushing touchdowns.

Kicker Andrew Wiebe booted the converts and a field goal.
ashley.prest@freepress.mb.ca