The Holy Trinity Academy Knights are one step away from a provincial return.
Powered by a 31-point second quarter the Knights scored a decisive 44-10 victory over the Medicine Hat High Hawks in the Football Alberta 4A provincial quarterfinal Saturday at Calgary’s Shouldice Park to advance to the South Final.
“The guys worked hard and started really well,” said HTA head coach Matt Hassett. “They’re a tough team and they work really hard and they’re well coached.
“We knew it was going to be a tough game and it was hard-hitting and physical.”
The top-ranked Knights got to work early with linebacker Jack Bjorge recovering a fumble in the red zone on the Hawks’ opening drive.
After a pair of penalties pegged the Knights back, runningback Seth Poelzer showcased the hands of a receiver with a leaping effort to corral a deep ball and secure it in the end zone for a 37-yard touchdown.
Medicine Hat was poised to respond on its ensuing drive only to have a field goal denied by the posts.
In the second quarter, Poelzer found his way into the end zone on a 16-yard run with the Knights passing game then taking over.
The Knights added their third major through special teams with rangy linebacker Wyatt Koopman using his reach to block a punt with defensive back Ryan Maloney then jumping on the loose ball in the end zone for a touchdown.
Quarterback Declan Lyth found Ben Gutek for a 52-yard touchdown and in the final minute of the half connected with receiver Cayden McCullough for a 48-yard score as the Knights took a 38-2 lead into the half.
“They really stepped up when we needed them,” said Hassett of the team’s offensive stars.
Now, one game away from a return to the provincial for the third time in four years, the Knights have to get past a tough Mustangs squad.
George McDougall, the No. 6 ranked 4A team, overpowered the Bishop Carroll Cardinals 55-13 on Saturday.
The South Final is a 1 p.m. kickoff at Shouldice Park on Saturday, Nov. 16.
“It’s going to be a good match-up,” Hassett said. “They’re a very good team, they’ve got a great quarterback (Kohen Bohnet), he was the starting quarterback for Team Alberta and they’ve got a couple other really good players.”
In the North Final, the No. 2 seed St. Joseph’s Celtics clash with Cold Lake Royals.
The Alberta Bowl, encompassing the provincial championships at all levels, will be held on Saturday, Nov. 23 in Grande Prairie.
