With a heavy heart, Huskies celebrate first title

 

 

November 11, 2008, Winnipeg Sun
By KIRK PENTON

Sturgeon Heights Huskies head coach Brett Watt smiled last spring when he learned running back Kienan LaFrance was leaving the St. James Rods to come play high school ball for his club.

His smile was even brighter last night after LaFrance scored four touchdowns to lead the Huskies to their first championship in only their second year since the amalgamation of Sturgeon Creek and Silver Heights.

Sturgeon Heights thumped the Garden City Fighting Gophers 48-6 in the Winnipeg High School Football League's Vidruk Division 2 final at Canad Inns Stadium.

LaFrance had touchdown runs of 22, 40 and four yards, and he also had a 63-yard punt return early in the third quarter that completed the scoring.

The Huskies were that dominant.

"With the amalgamation happening last year, we're on the map now," LaFrance said. "So people know who we are."

Grade 11 tailback Anthony Coombs had a 25-yard touchdown run for the Huskies, while quarterback Ryan Marsch had a 22-yard touchdown pass to Andrew Weibe and also an 11-yard run for a score.

"Our two backs, Anthony Coombs and Kienan LaFrance, are fantastic runners, and our O-line, we game-planned it all week to get those guys the ball and be able to go out there and run it," Watt said.

PERFECT SEASON

The Huskies were also playing for the memory of teammate Derek Sylvestre, who passed away in February due to a drug overdose. LaFrance was Sylvestre's teammate with the Rods.

"It was really something special for this team," LaFrance said. "We got a lot closer because of it. It was a real shame."

The team wore Sylvestre's No. 50 on their helmets and were always thinking of him throughout their perfect season of seven wins and three playoff victories.
"It was big. He was going into his third year, and losing him was quite a big shock," Watt said. "A lot of guys rallied together that played with him, and his family was a big support for us.

"Every time we went out there, especially this game, it was for Derek as well."
Eric Harder had a 17-yard touchdown catch for the Fighting Gophers.
Defensively for Sturgeon Heights, Matt Stewart had an interception and a fumble recovery.

In the Currie Division 3 final, running back Devon Kozar had two touchdown runs and threw for another on an option pass as the Portage Trojans, in only their second year of existence, cruised to a 31-3 win over the Murdoch MacKay Clansmen.

Kozar had runs of 39 and 49 yards, and he hit Kyle Czop with a 23-yard pass to make the day even more memorable.

"I wanted to throw a touchdown pass in the season, and to actually do that in the final was pretty crazy," Kozar said. "I thought that was cool."

The Clansmen allowed only 28 points in eight regular season contests, but they didn't play the Trojans -- until yesterday.

"To break that in one game, it shows how effective our offence was all season, and it's awesome," Kozar said.