Wolverines capture championship

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/11/2014 (4255 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The West Kildonan Wolverines got retribution for its regular season losses.

The Winnipeg High School Football League (WHSFL) team captured the Andy Currie division championship with a 12-8 win over the St. Norbert Celtics on Nov. 7, the same squad that beat the Wolverines 22-15 on Sept. 11.

Also, to get to the final game, West Kildonan had to win playoff contests against the Daniel McIntyre Maroons and the Elmwood Giants, both of which beat the Wolverines in September. After a slow 2-3 start to its season, West Kildonan ran the table, finishing the year with a 7-3 record.

Wolverines offensive lineman Danton Beaudry, a Grade 12 student at West Kildonan Collegiate, said he felt the turning point in the team’s season was its 46-16 win over the Fort Frances Muskies on Oct. 17. In that game, which was played in Fort Frances, Ont., Wolverines receiver/kicker Brayden Coulis scored an amazing 40 points, a WHSFL record.

“We went to Fort Frances and stayed overnight, and that helped us go into the playoffs as a team that trusts each other,” Beaudry said.

“We all trusted each other going into that game. Nobody did anything stupid on the trip and we had a great time. It was a long bus ride and we bonded as a team. Brayden broke the record and we all played our hearts out. We went out there and showed every team in the league that we can win big games.”

Wolverines coach Corbin Boughen said his squad’s defence suffocated St. Norbert in the final, not allowing a score until the game’s final minute.

He said he was impressed with the Wolverines effort in the championship game, especially since its semifinal matchup against Elmwood was arguably the bigger game. In 2013, a previously unbeaten Wolverines team lost to the Giants 14-7 in the championship game.

“That was a big one (the semifinal game against Elmwood) and I was wondering how the team would respond in the final because we were so geared for Elmwood and to end their winning streak,” said Boughen. Elmwood went 8-0 this season before losing to the Wolverines.

“I was a little worried to see how the team would respond and refocus and try to get geared up for St. Norbert after just knocking off the undefeated first place team, but I guess you don’t need too much motivation when you get into the championship.”