Western Bowl

2002

Date: Friday, November 22nd

Venue: Skydome, Toronto

Sandwich Sabres (Lasalle) defeated Northern Vikings (Sarnia)

Semi-finals

Sandwich 46, Guelph Ross 6

Northern 37, London Catholic Central 27

Championship

Sandwich Sabres (Lasalle) 42, Northern Vikings (Sarnia) 7

Jiom Lawton provided the following game report in the November 23rd, 2002 edition of the Sarnia Observer:

If there was ever a losing team you didn't have to feel badly for, it was the Northern Vikings.

Northern had its dream season come to an end on the Skydome floor at the hands of the LaSalle Sandwich Sabres by a lopsided score of 42-7, Friday afternoon in the Ontario Federation of Schools Athletic Association West senior football championship.

It was Northern's inaugural appearance in the championship game. With the draw being altered annually, they fell to this same Sandwich team in the semi-final, one year ago.

"It's the best feeling in the world, scoring two touchdowns at Skydome," said Mark Metulsriski, who led the Sabres with a pair of touchdowns.

Mike Carter, Dave Ireson, Tang Bacheyi and Nick Spyridis had one touchdown each for Sandwich, which took a 28-0 lead into the halftime break.

Don Gooding had the lone touchdown for the Vikings.

"There were too many mistakes and too many penalties in the second quarter and we weren't able to make the key plays that were necessary to win," said Vikings assistant coach Jim Stewart. "Sandwich is an impressive team. They were constantly running and attacking the ball."

Northern's coaching staff remained upbeat and positive throughout the afternoon.

"It was a great accomplishment to get here. Beating CCH (Catholic Central) last week was huge. I'm very proud to not only be associated with these kids but with such an outstanding group of coaches. It's the best staff I've ever worked with," said Stewart.

The first quarter ended scoreless, thanks mostly to defence of both units. The Vikings had a series of short runs by Joe Crowe and Josh Maltin but never mounted a serious threat.

The game's first touchdown came five minutes into the second quarter when quarterback Todd Gillis hit Metulsriski for a touchdown pass. Five minutes later, Bacheyi -- who was instrumental in moving the ball in the first quarter -- was handed the pigskin and he found the endzone for a 14-0 lead.

The Vikings rallied the troops. Just seconds before the three- minute warning, Joe Crowe broke several tackles for a 35 yard run. Gooding, Crowe and Bryan Shymko also carried the ball up the field. Northern was able to move the ball to the four-yard line for a fourth-and-goal situation. Rather than take the guaranteed field goal, Northern showed guts and went for the touchdown but quarterback Russ Barker was sacked.

Sandwich took over at the 12 yard line. To add insult to injury, Metulsriski ran the ball 80 yards for the touchdown giving his team a 21-0 lead. Things went from bad to worse. With 10 seconds left before the Skydome siren sounded, Carter scored to give his team a 28-0 lead at the intermission.

Northern's defence came alive in the third quarter, holding the Sabres scoreless during this time. They were able to strike themselves with their lone major of the afternoon.

Maltin and Gooding helped move the ball up the field with the key play being a 20 yard run to the two-yard line from Maltin. He was banged up badly on that play and taken off the field to the horror of the large Sarnia contingent in attendance. Gooding was handed the ball and he took it in for the touchdown.

Maltin came in off the sidelines to kick the conversion.

In the fourth quarter, both touchdowns were scored by the Sabres including one inside the one-minute warning. Northern's best play during that time was a lengthy pass from Barker to Ian Kilner.

Sabres coach John Bloomfield credits the victory to his team's size, strength and determination and praised the Vikings for their efforts throughout the contest.

Mike Gyetvai, the highly-recruited, 6'6, 310 pound lineman for the Sabres, credits the Sandwich coaches for their success to date. His personal goal is a U.S. college scholarship.

Gooding enjoyed the experience of playing at the home of the Toronto Argonauts.

"It's very impressive and it's exciting to be here. It will change my opinion forever of what I see on television. It's just a thrill to be here. At the same time, once the game begins, you quickly get accustomed to it and immediately concentrate on the game."

Crowe led Northern's ground attack with 102 yards on 11 carries. Gooding had 75 yards in rushing and Maltin 42.