The playoff picture has become a bit more clear following last week's games. Below is a breakdown in the lead-up to the final week of regular season varsity action. 

Division 1

(4-2) Vincent Massey 49 -- 7 River East (3-3)

In a critical battle for top spot in the Gustafson conference of Division 1, it was the defending champion Vincent Massey Trojans who came out on top.

Grade 11 pivot Jordan Hanslip threw for 153 yards and two scores while the dangerous 1-2 combo of senior Ishe Matanga and Negus Lewin combined for 124 yards and three majors. Defensively, Daniel Monye led the way with six tackles and two sacks. 

 

(5-1) Steinbach 24 -- 20 Sisler (1-5)

​​​Manitoba Bisons commit Isaac Dokken did his thing again this week, recoding eight tackles, a sack and a forced fumble on defence as well as 159 yards and two scores on offence as the Sabres set the table for what should be an excellent week seven matchup against Dakota with first place on the line. Richard Lugumire threw for 149 yards and a major in the loss. 

 

(6-0) Dakota 38 -- 18 Murdoch MacKay (2-4)

The Lancers kept their undefeated streak rolling thanks in huge part to their defence, which had seven sacks and three interceptions, two of which came from Peter Orajekwe. The ground game was also pivotal, with running backs Hubert Sindikubwabo and Carson Cadieux  combining for 215 yards and two scores. 

The Clansmen got a spirited performance from Player of the Year candidate Carter Kutzan, who threw for 207 yards and two touchdowns while also running for 33 yards. 

 

(2-4) Sturgeon 22 -- 14 Oak Park (2-4)

Huskies junior running back Cam Grzegorczyk went off against the Raiders, rushing for 346 yards and two scores on 31 carries as Sturgeon kept their post-season hopes alive. Kiran Jayabalan also had six tackles, a sack and a pick six en route to being named the Division 1 Defensive Player of the Week. Jesse Dudych had 155 yards rushing in the loss. 

Next up for the Huskies is a critical matchup against Grant Park, with heavy playoff implications on the line. 

 

(3-3) Grant Park 39 -- 7 Massey Brandon (1-5)

The Pirates got off to a fast start, scoring on their first two possessions as Luc Rodrigues had one major rushing and one receiving. Sophomore Donovan Dobson led all rushers with 120 yards and a touchdown.  The Pirates defensive line of Will Smith, Spencer Stark, Sal Pasta and Kaleb Mackie-Mcleod were a powerful force with a combined six sacks.

The real star of the night for Grant Park however, was linebacker Toni Shulman, who had two fumble recoveries on special teams and four special teams tackles including a touchdown on a misplayed kick-off which he recovered in the endzone. 

"I thought we did some good things and knocked some people down," Pirates head coach Doug Kovacs said. "You can see them starting to grow together and gel".

 

(4-1) St. Paul's 38 -- 6 Kelvin (2-4)

Receiver/returner Zach Wynne was the star of the show for St. Paul's, recording four touchdowns. He had 102 yards on six catches and three majors receiving-wise and added a fourth on a punt return. Adam Fast had 110 yards receiving in the loss for Kelvin. 

 

Division 2 

(5-1) Kildonan East 30 -- 0 St. Norbert (2-4)

As always, these two teams battled hard on the field. The first quarter was back and forth as both teams attempted to establish their offensive game plan. For KE, running the ball was plan A.  Alex Fedrizzi had 17 carries for 142 yards and a major, Brice Bayisabe had eight carries for 76 yards, while 'big' Joe Heyward had four carries for 91 yards and three majors.. Defensively, three interceptions and eight tackles by Dylan Normand helped keep St. Norbert off the score board. 

"It was 16-0 at the half and 30-0 final, but St. Norbert had opportunities," Reivers head coach Jason Hawkins said. "[St. Norbert] is well coached, as always."

 

(6-0) Portage 50 -- 6 West K (1-5)

Pivot Ian McCutchin and running back Kyler Banfield combined for 209 yards and three scores behind an impressive offensive line as the Trojans inched one game closer to a perfect regular season. 

 

(4-2) Garden City 49 -- 0 Beaver Brae (0-6)

The Fighting Gophers bounced back from a tough loss against Miles Mac last week, shutting out the Broncos on the strength of two interceptions. Ryan Bruneau was at it again at the pivot position as well, utilizing the read option to success with 185 and two scores. 

"Our game was played on very wet and sloppy field conditions on Thursday. We took care of the ball quite well considering the wet and ugly weather/field conditions," Garden City head coach Beau Wilks said. 

"Ryan Bruneau made good decisions with the ball and ran well early to give us quite a comfortable lead into the first quarter. Defence was sold all around causing turnovers and limiting Kenora on the ground. We got a kickoff return touchdown to open the second half which was a bright spot for that unit in particular. It was a solid overall performance from our team."

 

(3-3) Crocus Plains 8 -- 4 Dryden (3-3)

No information was available at press time. 

 

(5-1) Elmwood 38 -- 8 St. John's (2-4)

​​​​​​​The Giants got a well-rounded performance from their squad, including 104 yards rushing and major from Aron Kisimba and 81 yards and a touchdown from receiver Jacobien O'Connor. Pivot Christian Block also threw for 135 yards. 

 

Division 3 

(5-0) Springfield 63 -- 7 Churchill (1-3)

The Sabres offence continued to roll this past week. Tommy Walls threw for 233 yards and two scores while Wesly Kwan and Keagan Martin combined for 298 yards and six majors. 

 

(4-1) Fort Frances 20 -- 0 Neelin (0-5)

The dangerous tandem of  quarterback Brady Meeks and running back Sean Huziak were at it again this past week, combining for 306 yards and two scores. Carson Noga also had a critical punt return major that broke the game open. 

"The mud bowl is what the players called it after the game. With field conditions it was hard getting any good momentum to sustain any drives," Muskies coach Lou Gauthier said. 

"It was a hard fought battle in the first half. With a lucky punt return for a touchdown, momentum started swinging our way. With field conditions getting worse it was hard to get yards in the air, the run game saved us."

 

(3-1) Maples 35 -- 0 Tec Voc (1-4)

The Marauders got two interceptions from their defence, including one from Defensive Player of the Year candidate Adamo Urciuoli -- who had eight total tackles -- as Maples kept themselves in the conversation for a top two seed. They have a massive matchup this week against Fort Frances with heavy playoff implications on the line. 

"Our linemen were key in the big win. Most of them going both ways. Defence receives the game ball, they held Tec off the scoreboard, allowing only three first downs," said Maples head coach Peter Serrette. 

"Our offence is starting to jell at the right time, I expect this trend to continue as we enter week seven and play a tough Fort Frances squad. Winner takes second place in the Currie. [Brady] Meeks will be tough to contain. We know he'll have some big plays, we just hope to have a few more."