Skip to content

Steelhawks make statement in NOSSA win (12 photos)

In defending their senior boys football NOSSA title, the Superior Heights Steelhawks were determined to make a statement early, says head coach Seth Cond.

In defending their senior boys football NOSSA title, the Superior Heights Steelhawks were determined to make a statement early, says head coach Seth Cond.

“We were able to move the ball offensively and our defence did what they do tonight, making life very difficult for our opposition,” said Cond.

“We came out all cylinders firing.”

By the end of the first quarter the Steelhawks were up 20-0 over their North Bay opponent, the Widdifield Wildcats.

By end of the third, the Steelhawks had taken a 41-0 lead.

On most first half possessions the Wildcats were unable to breach the 50-yard line.

Wildcats head coach Sean Mullan said his team may have been fighting nerves early in the game.

"When you make mistakes against good teams, good teams capitalize," said Mullan.

Cond began making adjustments in the second half, resting key players.

“When we had an opportunity in the second half to give experience to our younger players, that’s something we try and do in our program. Hopefully they can take that experience and move it into their future,” said Cond.

Wildcats offence began making gains in the third, but they were unable to score.

That changed in the fourth quarter.

The visitors began playing what Mullan characterized as ‘Wildcats football.’

“They substituted some players, but our guys started catching the ball," he said.

The Wildcats took advantage by holding the defending-NOSSA champs to just 7 points in the fourth, after allowing those 41 points through the first three quarters.

Scoring 21 points in the fourth quarter alone, the Wildcats came alive.

But the Wildcats were not able to close the gap created by the Steelhawks in the first half, with a final score of 48-21.

Steelhawks quarterback Noah Grigg, who finished with nine completions, said the first quarter was key.

“Our running game was very strong, as we predicted. Everybody worked together — defence, offence, even our kickers and special teams,” said Grigg.

Their next opponent — Huron Heights — will be a challenge, said Grigg, but the team will spend the next two weeks practicing  before the Simcoe Bowl on December 1 in Hamilton.

Practicing disciplined play will be key moving forward, says Cond.

“That has been a point of emphasis for us all year, to limit our penalties. There’s things we do throughout our practice and games. Today, we were held at bay as far as penalties were concerned, contributed to our success,” Cond said.

(PHOTO: Superior Heights senior boys hoist a trophy presented immediately after winning NOSSA against the Widdifield Wildcats of North Bay today in Sault Ste. Marie. Kenneth Armstrong/SooToday)


What's next?


If you would like to apply to become a Verified reader Verified Commenter, please fill out this form.




Kenneth Armstrong

About the Author: Kenneth Armstrong

Kenneth Armstrong is a news reporter and photojournalist who regularly covers municipal government, business and politics and photographs events, sports and features.
Read more