Crusaders champs in stadium sayonara

Buckeyes' Carlos Mojica (33) is swarmed by Crusaders in ANAVETS Bowl action Friday night. (JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store

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St. Paul's Blair Mattes runs through a tackle by Miles MacDonnell Buckeyes' Colton Lesuk on Friday night at Canad Inns Stadium. (WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store

And let history record that a champion was crowned in the final football game ever played at Canad Inns Stadium.

No, really, we mean it this time.

The St. Paul's Crusaders won their third AAA Winnipeg High School Football title in four years Friday night, defeating the Miles Macdonell Buckeyes 25-15 in the ANAVETS Bowl.

And with that, a stadium that has been closing for a year now is, finally, actually closed.

"That's something that no one else can say. We can say that. I'm going to tell my kids, I'm going to tell my grandchildren," said Crusaders quarterback Jamie Dzikowicz, who hooked up with receiver Ian Lee on a 22-yard touchdown pass with less than five minutes to play in the fourth quarter for what proved to be the game-winner.

There was a certain symmetry to the game-winning touchdown, which came with the game tied 15-15. Lee, who was in tight coverage and had to fight off a defender to make the catch, attended Miles Macdonell until he transferred to St. Paul's for this school year. "It's incredible. I'm speechless right now," said Lee. "I transferred for my Grade 12 year. The feeling is incredible."

The win capped an undefeated season for the Crusaders, who finish the year with a perfect 10-0 record.

But they got all they could handle in the final game from a gritty Buckeyes squad, who were heavy underdogs coming into the game but scored first in the first quarter on one of two touchdowns in the game by Miles Mac phenom QB/DB Jayden McKoy.

McKoy also had an interception in the first quarter, not to mention a 37-yard punt-return touchdown in the second half and was named the player of the game.

It was all cold comfort, however, on what was already a bitterly cold night.

"We let down a little bit. We let up just for a second and with a team like that, they're going to come out and hit you if you let down for one second," said McKoy. "Obviously, we wanted to come out here and win. It wasn't just about making it this far."

paul.wiecek@freepress.mb.ca

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