THUNDER BAY -- The Churchill Trojans’ next loss will be their last.
But they weren’t ready to give up just yet.
Kieran Lemelin rushed for three touchdowns on Thursday night and Tristan Basalyga hauled in three interceptions, scoring on the final one from 17 yards out and the junior Trojans, heretofore winless in 2016, pulled off a stunning 48-8 Superior Secondary Schools Athletic Association quarterfinal win over the Westgate Tigers.
The two schools will merge to form one next fall, the students joining forces at Westgate.
Churchill faces a daunting semifinal task next week against the undefeated four-time champion St. Ignatius Falcons, but for now they’ll revel in their accomplishment, finally posting a victory after an 0-4 regular season that saw the Trojans score just eight points.
“It’s really a great honour,” said the 14-year-old Basalyga.
“Churchill has got such a good football history and it’s just so honourable to be a part of that and to be advancing in these playoffs.”
Lemelin agreed wholeheartedly with his teammate.
“It just feels great to keep it going and being part of the last Churchill Trojans team.”
What a history it’s been.
The Trojans have captured 18 junior titles since their first in 1968, though it’s been six long years since their last championship.
Burt right off the bat it appeared the Tigers just might be too much to take.
Westgate return man Brendan Hall took the opening kickoff 99 yards to the end zone, the two-point conversion giving the Tigers a quick 8-0 lead.
But it was all Trojans from there, helped of course by the Tigers lack of a kicking game, which forced the team to go for it on third down all game long.
When they failed, it tended to lead to Churchill scoring plays.
Lemeling started the comeback early in the first quarter, scoring from 35 yards out to pull the underdogs within two.
Then, after Westgate failed to convert on third-and-four from their own 16, the Trojans took the lead for good when Lemelin bounced off a couple of tackles and scampered five yards left for his second major.
Two possessions later Churchill took over on the Westgate 33-yard line and one play later Lemelin had his third major of the night and the Trojans led 18-8.
“Our o-line and our QB played an amazing game out there,” Lemelin said. “I don’t think I’d be able to make it through those holes if it wasn’t for the o-line.”
Churchill quarterback Cam Vanderwees was also on his game, firing a 66-yard score to receiver Greg Blekkenhorst to end the first half. Then, three minutes into the third, he hit Cooper Dubuc for another touchdown strike from the Westgate 10.
After Basalyga found his way to the goal line on a 17-yard pick-six, Jared Holroyd fell on a fumble in the Tigers end zone late in the fourth to wrap up the scoring.
Notes: With a city strike pending, the location of next week semifinal contests remains up in the air. They will be at Fort William Stadium if there is no walkout, but could be moved to school fields should the strike occur.
