Colts run through snow to NOSSA title

The Korah Colts made good on a second chance.

The Colts were back in the Northern Ontario Secondary School Athletics (NOSSA) senior football final on Saturday and looking to avenge a loss in last year’s title game and the Sault Ste. Marie city champs did just that.

In wintery conditions, the Colts jumped out to a 14-0 lead and beat the West Ferris Trojans, North Bay’s city champs, 34-11 at Superior Heights to win the NOSSA title.

Playing on a snow-covered field, Korah Coach Tom Annett spoke of how the conditions would have changed things for both teams in terms of a passing game, something that the Trojans rely heavily on.

“The game would have been much different under different conditions,” Annett said, speaking of how West Ferris looks to pass the ball. “But we would have thrown too.”

After rushing for over 500 yards in last week’s NOSSA semifinal win over Lively of Sudbury, Korah ran the ball for 448 yards on Saturday against West Ferris.

“We call our offensive line the Chain Gang and we take a lot of pride in that,” Annett said. “They were the difference today. They’re not the biggest but physically we’re very strong, tough, and quick. They just have tremendous heart and toughness and it showed today.”

The Colts would get on the board with just under four minutes to go in the opening quarter as Nik Gervasi ran the ball in from 14 yards out to make it 6-0 Korah after the Colts couldn't convert.

Early in the second quarter, the Colts would increase the lead as Tyler Brechin ran the ball in from 24 yards out just over a minute in. The Colts would get a two-point convert from Gervasi on the play to make it 14-0.

With 2:20 to go in the second quarter, the Colts would concede a safety to make the score 14-2.

West Ferris would cut into the lead further as Mason McGriskin ran the ball in from two yards out. With a convert by Carson Cleater, the Colts lead would be trimmed to 14-9 with 1:29 to go in the opening half.

On the opening drive of the second half, Brechin would force a fumble by James Piper and Austin Nori would recover for the Colts, giving Korah the ball. 

West Ferris would get the ball right back as Jay Turnsek would intercept a pass by Jordan Robinson-Wright and give the Trojans the ball in Korah territory but the North Bay champs couldn’t capitalize.

After the turnover by West Ferris, Gervasi would run the ball in from 54 yards out with 6:56 to go in the quarter. The Colts attempt for two was unsuccessful, giving the Colts a 20-9 lead.

With 1:52 to go in the third quarter, Zack Politano ran the ball 78 yards for a touchdown. A convert by Matteo Perri was good to give the Colts a 27-9 lead.

With West Ferris driving, Ethan Fawcett intercepted a pass for the Colts early in the fourth quarter. The Colts would ultimately concede a safety, making the score 27-11 Korah.

With just under five minutes to go in the fourth quarter and West Ferris driving, Brechin would pick off a pass by McGriskin and run it back 105 yards for a touchdown. A convert by Perri would make the score 34-11 Korah.

Gervasi finished the day with 182 yards rushing on 21 carries for the Colts.

“He ran the ball tremendously well,” Annett said. “He was incredible today. He’s just beast. He’s such a strong runner.”

A team that relies on the passing game, McGriskin finished the day with 215 yards passing on 13 pass completions for West Ferris. 

Defensively for the Colts, Jacob Jurich had seven tackles and one assist. Politano had six tackles and one assist. Aaron Keranen had five tackles and one assist. Nori had a pair of fumble recoveries.

For West Ferris, in addition to an interception, Turnsek had 11 tackles and three assists. Aiden Forth had six tackles. 

West Ferris earned the NOSSA berth with a 31-21 win over St. Joseph-Scollard Hall in the Nipissing District Association (NDA) final.

Korah will now prepare for OFSAA bowl action. The team will play in the National Capital Bowl in the OFSAA bowl series in Ottawa later this month.

The Colts will face the champion from the National Capital Secondary School Athletic Association (NCSSAA) on Nov. 27 at TD Place in Ottawa.