Winnipeg Sun, Sun Media - Oct. 23, 2008
They come in all shapes and sizes.
Some are undefeated and some are winless but when today's Winnipeg High School Football League playoffs begin, each and every team starts with a fresh slate.
For some, it means new life and for others, it means that with one misstep, there is no safety net and a great season can go right down the drain.
In the end, the post-season is about seizing an opportunity.
During the regular season, each of the three divisions featured great races for top spot.
The Sturgeon Heights Huskies were the class of the Kas Vidruk Division, getting through to the post-season with an unblemished record of 7-0.
The Huskies were solid on both sides of the ball, amassing a league-best 338 points for while allowing just 49.
Sturgeon Heights is led by quarterback Ryan Marsch and a two-pronged running attack that features Kienan LaFrance and Anthony Coombs, who are among the division leaders in touchdowns.
The Huskies have been dominant, but four of the teams in the division boast a record above .500, including the St. Paul's Crusaders second team, which was an impressive 6-1, and the Garden City Gophers, who were 5-2.
The Crusaders first team was a perfect 7-0 in the John Potter Division, putting up 262 points while surrendering just 69.
Kelsey McKay and the Churchill Bulldogs are lurking close behind at 6-1, while the Sisler Spartans (4-3) and Oak Park Raiders (3-4, but allowed only 68 points) are also serious contenders.
Churchill's Sean Clark has been a force, leading the division in carries, yards and touchdowns.In the Andy Currie Division, the Portage Trojans and Murdoch MacKay Clansmen both sport 7-0 records.
The Clansmen gave up only 28 points in seven games, while the Trojans had a potent offensive attack and scored 207.
The Oak Park Raiders second team, at 4-2, was the only other team in the division with a winning record.The rest of the first round match-ups go tomorrow, while the semis will be played on Oct. 30 and 31 at Canad Inns Stadium.