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Defending champion Falcons start quest with opening day shutout

Junior Falcons dominate the ground game and defensive coverage, cruise to easy win over Saints

THUNDER BAY -- The St. Ignatius Falcons haven’t lost a junior high school football game since Cam Newton’s rookie year.

The north-side school continued its winning ways on Friday, opening the 2016 campaign with a convincing 30-0 triumph over the St. Patrick Saints, a streak that dates back to the 2011 championship game, won by the Westgate Tigers.

It doesn’t look like the Falcons are ready to give a gridiron inch in their quest for a fifth straight crown, the ground game proving dominant and paving the way for the lopsided win.

Alex Gingras, on loan from La Verendrye, rushed 11 times for 119 yards – all the first half – and a score, while Anthony Gojsic scampered for 120 yards and a score of his own, the Falcons jumping out to a 20-0 lead by halftime.

Kicker Leo Pernia booted three field goals and three extra points for St. Ignatius, who will have two weeks to get ready for its next contest with a bye week scheduled for next Thursday.

“I’m really proud of my team. Everybody played 100 per cent and it was a good game,” the 15-year-old Gosjic said.

Being able to control the game on the ground is important in the junior game, he said, adding being able to contribute himself makes it all that much more sweet.

“I’m really proud of (Alex) and me today, just getting all these yards for our team,” Gosjic said. “Also I’m proud of our line for blocking for us too,” he said.

The opening drive was the product of a lot of hard work, a 102-yard effort capped by Gingras’s 10-yard run midway through the first quarter.

Gosjic took one in from five yards out a little more than a minute later, the Falcons taking a 20-0 lead into the half.

Early in the third Taylor Lehto intercepted St. Patrick quarterback Collin Wiseman, racing 36 yards for the pick-six and a 27-0 advantage.

St. Ignatius coach Mike Savioli said it’s too early to start thinking about playoffs and championships, but getting a win in the opener is a great way to start.

“It’s almost like a race to get to this first game and get everyone prepared and get all your coaches and everyone feeling ready to go,” Savioli said. “It’s a good confidence builder, especially since we have a bye week coming next week. You don’t want to go in with a loss.”

The Saints were held to just five yards in the opening half.

Payton Littleford led the way offensively for St. Patrick, rushing for 27 yards on 11 carries. The rest of the team was held to -6 yards on the ground.



Leith Dunick

About the Author: Leith Dunick

A proud Nova Scotian who has called Thunder Bay home since 2002, Leith is Dougall Media's director of news, but still likes to tell your stories too. Wants his Expos back and to see Neil Young at least one more time. Twitter: @LeithDunick
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