St. Ignatius ends two-game losing streak with win over Hammarskjold

The St. Ignatius Falcons know they’ll have a target on their backs when the high school football playoffs open next week.

That’s why it was important for the senior squad to hit the post-season in high gear, a feat they achieved on Friday with a 32-3 win over the Hammarskjold Vikings in the regular-season finale for both teams.

Nic Cull scored twice and ran for 140 yards and Dray Theriault matched Cull’s touchdown total, running for 70 yards on eight carries in the one-sided triumph.

“I think it’s really important because we were on kind of a losing streak and it’s good to get out of that so we can start a winning streak,” Cull said.

Falcons coach Tyler Dennis couldn’t agree more.

“We had two unfortunate games where we were flat offensively. So we just wanted to get our guys feeling good again, knowing we have to get out there and execute,” Dennis said.

“Those games in the playoffs are the ones that really matter, so we have to fix our problems now.”

The Falcons were coming off back-to-back losses to Westgate and St. Patrick, scoring a combined two touchdowns and 16 points in the process.

No question it was the ground game that pushed them to victory Friday at Fort William Stadium.

“I think it was a good game for that and we had a good offensive line today and it all worked very well,” said Cull, younger brother of Thunderwolves hockey player Nathan Cull.

Execution was the key for the Falcons, who started the season 4-0 and wrapped it up at 5-2, second in the division.

“It was … recognizing who to block, ball control, just running your routes or proper lanes – nothing crazy but just well done,” said Dennis, acknowledging as defending champions their playoff opponents will be looking to knock them off even more than other teams.

But it’s not something he plans to put too much stock into.

“That was last season, so to me it doesn’t really matter. I’m looking at winning this season and there are four good teams that I think any one of them can win on any given day,” Dennis said.

Cull didn’t wait long to put the Falcons on the board, cruising to the house from 59 yards out for the game’s first touchdown, the lone score of the opening quarter.

He found pay dirt again in the second from the Vikings four-yard line and the Falcons’ offence continued to role from there, Theriault punching one in from 12 yards out for a 21-0 lead. Theriault added his second touchdown of the day, plunging across the goal line from the Vikings one.

The Vikings, who will watch the playoffs from the sidelines, finally got on the board with six seconds left in the first half, Devon Hoier connecting on a 26-yard field goal to make it 28-3 at the half.

Hammarskjold quarterback Zach Hynna had a rough go of it in the second half, tossing up a pair of interceptions, the first to Michale Hall and the second to James Bouchard.

The Falcons await their semifinal opponent, either St. Patrick or Churchill, who play Friday in a battle for top spot in the Superior Secondary Schools Athletic Association standings.