Unbeatens to Clash

Clansmen, Trojans will play for Currie Division title

October 31, 2008 - Winnipeg Sun

Bring on the battle of the unbeatens.

The Murdoch MacKay Clansmen and Portage Collegiate Institute Trojans both took care of business yesterday and will now clash for the Andy Currie Division title on Nov. 10.

It was another stingy day for the Clansmen defence, but the offence also came up big in a 29-9 triumph over the Kildonan East Reivers at Canad Inns Stadium.

After dropping the championship game last season to the Sisler Spartans, the Clansmen have been able to keep a narrow focus throughout the season.

"The only team we fear out there is ourselves," said Clansmen head coach Ron Bresch. "We don't even think about (being undefeated). Honestly, nobody mentions a thing about it. Since Day 1, we've been focused on the trophy through the trees.

"Each and every week there's another tree in front of us that we have to chop down. Some trees are tougher to chop down than others but all we've got is our eyes on the prize."

That prize is now just one win away. But the Trojans just might be the toughest tree to chop down.

The Trojans came out firing and came up with an impressive 28-3 victory over the Sisler Spartans yesterday to improve their record to 8-0.

Portage forced and recovered three first half fumbles and got rushing touchdowns from Ruskin Madill, Devon Kozar and Justin Kilcollins.

"It's going to be crazy," said Kozar. "It's two 8-0 teams and it's going to be really intense. We've just got to keep bringing it. That's pretty much it.
"We've got to play smash-mouth football."

The Clansmen defence, which surrendered just 28 points during the regular season, was solid again yesterday, but an impressive running game was also on display.

Fleet-footed A.J. Woznesensky scampered for a pair of touchdowns on the ground, while Brad Erratt and Kurtis Falkenberg also rumbled into the end zone for majors.

Thanks to a glitch in the schedule, the Clansmen and Trojans didn't meet during the regular season.

"I've never played in a championship game before, so it's a big deal for me," said Woznesensky. "Getting to the championship game has been our motivation this year."

In the late game, Sturgeon Heights defeated Tec Voc 40-2 to advance to the Kas Vidruk Division final.