Widdifield captures NDA Sr. football crown(updated)

The Widdifield Wildcats celebrate their first NDA football championship since 2001. Photo by Chris Dawson.

The two most talented football teams flexed their muscles Saturday afternoon and the result was a classic NDA senior football final.

The Widdifield Wildcats hung on in the dying minutes for a 28-21 victory over the defending champion West Ferris Trojans.

This one appeared to be over in the fourth quarter when on 4th and 10 Jason Ethier hooked up with Chris Sheremeta on a 30 yard touchdown pass with less than five minutes to play, giving the Cats what appeared to be a solid 28-14 lead. It was a classic scramble by quarterback Jason Ethier that may go down in Wildcat football history.

“The catch at the back of the end zone was a Dwight Clark type play, 4th and 10 and you’ve got to tip your hat off to them, they’ve got great receivers who make big plays and we just can’t overlook that,” said West Ferris head coach Larry Tougas about the eventual game winning strike.

“That was a huge play, it didn’t start out the way we wanted it, got a little scrambly but Jay’s a veteran guy, he’s been making the plays all year and he made it when we needed it the most,” Wildcats head coach Sean Mullan said about the memorable touchdown.

However, the game got very interesting soon after that. On the Trojans next possession Quarterback Tyson Brear hit rookie Dustin Anthony for 25 yards and on the next play connected with Scott Britton for a 25 yard pass and run touchdown, and with the convert made it 28-21 still with 2:49 left on the clock.

The Trojans attempted an onside kick and their star player John Gore came up with the ball. But with the Trojans knocking on the door at the Wildcat 20, the blue and red came up with their fourth turnover of the final. On a short pass to Trojan receiver Scott Britton, Mike Blanchette hit the opposing receiver and forced the game winning fumble which he recovered.

After that the Wildcats took possession and ran out the clock. Victory was theirs.

“Well for one thing Ferris played good today,” said an elated Wylie Phillips who finished with well over 150 yards rushing including a 95 yard touchdown run in the first half.

“We were up by two (touchdowns) and they battled back on the onside kick and we were scared but that last minute when we knew we had it, we were marching on a drive it was something special, this is a good group of guys and I’m just so happy right now.”

For John Gore, it was a comeback that just fell short in his final NDA football game.

“You think about it, we were 20 yards away from a tie game, but we fought hard all year, we were close we were right there, the ball just didn’t drop in our favour on that one play,” said Gore.

For Sean Mullan, it appears he’s glad he’s heard the last of John Gore on the football field, because he believes his elite players deserve more credit.

“All of the publicity with 19 on the other team boy, I’ll tell you, if he’s on our team, he’s our fourth best player, I’ll take Jay Ethier, Wylie Phillips and Dustin Roy any day.”

And maybe with this victory those fifth year Wildcat players just earned that credit.


Scoring Summary:

1st Quarter

Wylie Phillips 10 yard touchdown run 7-0 Widdifield @ 7:26

2nd Quarter

Wylie Phillips 95 yard touchdown run 14-0 Widdifield @ 00:30
Sandy Burk 4 yard touchdown run 14-7 Widdifield @ 10:31

3rd Quarter

Sandy Burk 2 yard touchdown run 14-14 @ 8:00

4th Quarter

Jessie Bethune 5 yard touchdown run 21-14 Widdifield @ 00:30
Jason Ethier 22 yard touchdown pass to Chris Sheremeta 28-14 Widdifield @ 7:15
Tyson Brier 25 yard toucdown pass to Scott Britton 28-14 Widdifield @ 9:11


With files from Frank "The Toe" Caruso