Quebec QB Michael Arruda marched the offense down the field for opening drive touchdown, capped off by a TD pass to Hergy Myala. Quebec attempted an onside kick on the ensuing kick off but was nullified when the ball did not travel the required 10 yards. Back-to-back roughing calls extended Saskatchewan’s first drive, the end of the drive resulting in no points due to a missed field goal attempt ran out of the end zone. Late in the first quarter, Saskatchewan conceded a safety touch, putting Quebec in front 9 to 0.
The second quarter started similar to the first, with Arruda commanding a drive that saw a big naked boot leg pass to David Blain as the high light. A missed 25 year field goal attempt resulted in a rouge and a ten point lead.
The next Saskatchewan drive saw the the ‘green nation’ get on the board with a 75 yard TD pass, but offsetting penalties nullified the score. Later in the quarter Quebec kicker Samuel Chenard attempted his second field goal of the game, this one from 43 yards, but this time the missed attempt resulted in no points. Saskatchewan drove the field just before half but missed their third field goal of the half, although this one saw a rouge point. Quebec looked like they would take a 9 point lead into half but a 30-yard penalty and player ejection gave Quebec enough field position to march the field for a Chenard field goal with 11 seconds remaining. Quebec lead 13 to 1 at half.
Saskatchewan came out of the locker room at half playing desperate football, and attempted a 3rd and 2 gamble only to be stopped. A few plays later Quebec capitalized on this opportunity when Jonathan Thebaud caught the ball out of the backfield to put his team up 20 to 1 with 6 minutes remaining in the quarter. Not long after Quebec’s Ethan Makonzo intercepted a Noah Picton pass and returned it to midfield. After an enormous catch by Louis-Mathieu Normandin, plus a penalty, Quebec again looked to Thebaud to convert a first and goal, going up 27 to 1 late in the 3rd. Not discouraged, Saskatchewan drove the field culminating in a 39 yard TD Mitchell Hillis from Noah Picton.
Riding the late 3rd quarter momentum, Saskatchewan picked up a Quebec fumble and returned it deep into Quebec territory. Unfortunately just 3 plays later they returned the favour, turning the ball over on downs with 10 minutes remaining in the game. The Saskatchewan defense continued to give the offense the ball when Jess Gordon intercepted a ball with 6:33 remaining in the game. This time the offense capitalized, with Noah Picton running in a one-yard naked boot for the TD with 2:06 remaining. An unsuccessful onside kick and a 43 yard TD run by Donavan Martel put Quebec up 34 to 15, a score that would last until the final time went off the clock. Quebec will now play for the gold medal against the winner of tonight’s Alberta vs. Ontario West game.
FINAL: Quebec 34 Sask 15
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