Trojans outlast Bears in NDA semi's(updated)

Interception! Cam Boake (#15) picks off a Kevin Clayton pass in the endzone during third quarter play during Saturday's NDA semi-final. Photo by Chris Dawson.

The typical West Ferris Trojans aerial passing attack was almost non-existent as the Trojans game plan turned to putting the offence right on the back of running back David Staniszewski.

The rugged back scored two touchdowns and carried the ball more than 30 times for over 150 yards on the ground as the Trojans defeated the St. Joseph-Scollard Hall Bears 21-7 in one of two NDA semi-finals which took place Saturday afternoon in North Bay.

Trojans head coach Larry Tougas informed Staniszewski early in the week that they would be playing a power run game Saturday against the Bears.

“The fact that we were playing Scollard made it a big adrenaline rush for me because beating these guys is the best feeling in the world,” said the hard working back.
For Bears head coach John Whittet the loss ends the Bears season as they lose their final two games of the year against the Trojans – including a 17-7 loss to the Trojans last Friday in the final regular season game for both teams.

“I don’t have a problem losing to a fine football team,” said Whittet after the game.

“They certainly were a fine football team today they did a good job I think they controlled the line of scrimmage and essentially that’s what won it for them today.”

Key plays

With the Bears charging downfield in the third quarter Cam Boake intercepted a Kevin Clayton pass in the end zone. Then only a few plays later the Trojans Tom Conrad swept right and then threw a strike to Mike McCrudden for an 80 yard pass and run that set up Staniszewski’s second touchdown run to give the Trojans a 14-0 lead.

But the Bears bounced back.

After a long Bears drive and a dropped ball in the end zone, Kevin Clayton eventually called his own number and after the convert it was 14-7.

On the ensuing kickoff Dustin Anthony bobbled the kick and then fumbled the ball and the Bears recovered on the Trojans 25.

But the Trojans solid defence then took charge and on 4th and 4 the Trojans sacked Kevin Clayton and took over on downs.

That was huge for the Trojans “D” and a demoralizing loss of downs for the Bears.

“It was a relief because the momentum had definitely swung,” Tougas said about the big stop.

After a few long Staniszewski runs “up the gut” the Trojans eventually scored again as quarterback Tyson Brear dove into the end zone from the 1-yard line to make it 21-7 and seal the victory for the Trojans.

Weather factor

The rain overnight and during the day made midfield particularly muddy and certainly made it a defensive struggle in the trenches.

Trojans linebacker Justin Brear felt Mother Nature helped them out.

“They like doing the perimeter running and going outside and the weather helped us because they couldn’t do their cuts as well,” said Brear who had a large lump of turf embedded in the front of his helmet and made some key tackles for the Trojans stingy defence.

Called back TD’s

While Bears coach John Whittet didn’t directly blame the officials for the loss he did question a couple of pass interference calls.

“We had a couple of plays that would have went for touchdowns,” said Whittet.

“We had some that were touchdowns that got called back there’s a couple little things there that I think maybe we could have got the momentum that certainly would have been able to help us out but full value for their victory today.”