The New Brunswick High School Football league playoffs were underway this weekend , with the QuarterFinals being played across the province. The Semi Final matchups are set for this weekend in Sackville and Fredericton.
Both games slated for 1:00 pm starts on Saturday as the Fredericton Black Kats meet the Tantramar Titans in Sackville and the Bernice Macnaughtan Highlanders make there way to Fredericton for a duel against the undefeated Leo Hayes Lions.
A year ago , The Tantramar Titans (5-1) were in a very different situation as the football program was in “Rebuilding Mode” , the high flying Titans have since then proven themselves to be one of the favorites to win the New Brunswick championship this fall. The Titans suffered there only loss of the Regular Season in the final week to the Saint-John High School Greyhounds. The Titans seemed to have found there Grove on Saturday as they moved on to the Semi-Final with a 28-14 victory over The 4th place Harrison Trimble Trojans.
Their Opponent , the Fredericton High School Black Kats , Blanked the Saint-John High School Greyhounds 21-0 in their Quarterfinal on Friday night. The Black kats finished the season with a 5-1 Record also , finishing in 2nd place behind the Leo Hayes Lions (6-0) in the Western Conference.
This game will be a good battle and some great football to watch. Fredericton High School has won the last 3 meetings between both of these programs , outscoring them 109-8. however, Led by star Quarterback Michael Bohen , The Tantramar Titans have had a great season and are looking for their first championship since 1997.
In the other matchup, The Leo Hayes Lions of Fredericton are the only team in the 12 man circuit yet to lose. Their undefeated regular season has given the Lions lots of confidence and they are looking for their First ever Ed Skiffington Trophy. The Lions have also had lots of success on both sides of the ball having scored a total of 160 points , good enough for 2nd in the conference and have only allowed 87 points during the regular season, also good enough for second in the conference. After enjoying a bye week in result of getting a bye to the Semi-Finals , the Lions should be well rested and ready for the Highlanders saturday.
Their opposition, the Macnaughtan Highlanders are no stranger to the New Brunswick High school playoffs , the Moncton program has been the Ed Skiffington Trophy champions 4 of the last 7 years. The Highlanders posted a 3-3 record during the regular season, Good enough for second place in the eastern conference and advanced to the Semi-Finals with a 10-0 win against the Moncton High Purple Knights on friday night.
The Highlanders will put their winning tradition to the test on saturday as they travel to Fredericton on Saturday. The last time these team’s met was in the 2005 playoff Quarter-finals when the Highlanders came out on top 16-0.
(Photo courtesy of Dwayne tingley / The times and transcript)
Advocating for football prospects one story at a time.
CFC Youth Game Spotlight: Quebec OL ready to lock it down
