If there were any concerns last week’s bye could have left the No. 2-ranked St. Thomas More Knights a little rusty
entering Saturday’s Subway Bowl
quarterfinal, they were quickly put to rest.
Like those who leave their shopping until Christmas Eve, the Knights wasted little time browsing and loaded up their basket by overwhelming the Notre Dame Jugglers 32-13, advancing to Saturday’s semifinal at B.C. Place.
It was a well-rounded result where the defence and offence meshed like a bowl full of Lucky Charms – all hearts, clovers and rainbows.
“It was huge. Once we got a couple of scores up on them, it forced (Notre Dame) out of their game (plan),” remarked STM coach Steve De Lazzari. “They’re a great running team and they had to throw the ball – and that’s one of our strengths, our secondary. It’s very good when the other team is putting the ball in the air.”
Their first touchdown came just six plays into the game, as the Knights grabbed the lead when Grade 12 student Joel Pielak, who missed the previous four games to injury, plowed through the defence and barrelled 33 yards into the end zone.
The drive covered just 55 yards – not including Mateo Carteri’s 20-yard kick-off return – and 2:17 off the clock.
They were nearly as quick with their next major – an 11-play march on their third possession, with quarterback Dario Ciccone taking it in on a five-yard keeper to make it 12-0. The Grade 11 pivot would complete an 11-yard TD pass to Connor Hayek just before halftime, and carry in two other touchdowns to round out the offence.
Pielak was slotted in for star rusher/linebacker Tyler Eckert, who missed his second straight game due to illness. Eckert, whose numbers put him third in league play with 796 yards and 13 touchdowns, was sorely missed. But De Lazzari said it’s the nature of the team that when one goes down, another one comes to the forefront.
“(Pielak) was (huge) and we needed that. He answered the bell,” said De Lazzari. “He hasn’t played a whole lot this season, so part of (that) is he’s an X-factor, ... no one has seen him carry the ball like that. They didn’t really see him coming.”
For the Grade 12 rusher, it wasn’t a case of being adequate. He knew the opportunity was golden, and it was a matter of being ready for it.
“There was pressure, obviously, to perform,” Pielak said after he rushed for 130 yards. “Tyler’s our star running back, so
obviously I had to perform at his level. There was a lot of pressure but I think we managed to pull it off.”
Not to be missed was the fact the Knights’ defence dug a trench and stood its ground, giving up very little as Notre Dame was held to just 15 offensive yards over the first quarter. The Jugglers, who posted a 4-3 record during the regular season, didn’t record a first down until midway through the second quarter.
Up 19-0 at halftime, STM didn’t stray far from its bend-very-little defence and led 25-0 after Ciccone’s eight-yard scramble, before Notre Dame got on the board with a 90-yard kick return late in the third quarter.
As big a role as the offence played, the defence continued its position as the Knights’ largest asset in a 10-0 season.
The Jugglers, who averaged nearly 30 points a game during the year, didn’t get a first down until the second quarter and were held off the scoreboard until late in the third quarter.
The likes of B.C. AAA defensive MVP Sam Steele, Jonah Fridfinnson and Nathan Nacario set the tone and were ably supported by a number of key contributions.
With a strong show of fan support and a large banner proclaiming STM “Kully Tough,” the motivation and inspiration was all around.
De Lazzari said the team remains imprinted with the desire and heart that coach Bernie Kully helped instill with them before his death last month.
“That’s (Kully’s) imprint, his spirit, his fire. That’s what they play for. He was such an amazing man and to honour him, that’s what we’re going to be putting forward every time we step on the field,” said De Lazzari. “Next week in the semifinal, it’s going to take that same gutsy effort.”
More will line up against the defending B.C. champion Terry Fox Ravens on Saturday, 7:30 p.m. at B.C. Place, with the winner advancing to the Subway Bowl final.
In their last encounter, the first game after Kully passed away following a battle with cancer, the Knights came together and topped the then-No. 1-ranked Ravens 15-8 seven weeks ago.
Fox, which capitalized on a poorly executed late punt by Seaquam last week to advance to the semifinal, is well-stocked with athletic skill.
“I would say (the key) with them is stopping their running game, their two-prong attack with quarterback (Jevaun) Jacobsen and (Jaden Severy),” said De Lazzari. “Just playing team defence is going to be really important and using our smarts, intelligence and our speed and physicality all come together.”
A rematch just adds another dimension to it all, said Pielak.
“Obviously, they’re going to be looking for revenge on us, but I think as long as everyone gives their whole heart into it we’ll be good to go,” said Pielak.
