Monarchs stop Tigers on last-second score

Austin Benn caught a 27-yard touchdown pass from Raishaun Provo  with four seconds to go, leading the St. Mary’s CSS Monarchs to a 20-13 win over the Westgate Tigers at the OFSAA Football Festival in Etobicoke.

It was the second St. Mary’s touchdown of the final quarter, the first coming at 6:07, a six-yard Justice Johnson run. The Monarchs took possession in their own territory with 47 seconds left in regulation, the game tied 13-13. Three quick passes led to the winning score.

The two teams played a scoreless first quarter, then traded majors in the second.

Josh Henry hauled in a 35-yard Provo pass at 8:43 to put Pickering, Ont.’s Monarchs on the board. Three minutes later Josh Whitehurst scored the equalizer for the Tigers, scoring on a 20-yard pass from DIllan Tataryn.

Tucker Arnold gave the Tigers the lead late in the third, scoring on a 17-yard scamper.

Johnson’s score tied the game 13-13, but after a penalty nullified a successful two-point attempt, the Tigers, who ran for 163 yards in the contest, blocked the extra point attempt.

The Monarchs won it through the air, throwing for 244 yards. Provo also gained 66 yards on the ground. Arnold finished with a game-high 89 yards on 12 rushes.

It was St. Mary’s first bowl win, their last appearance a losing effort in 2001’s Horseshoe Bowl.