This years OFSAA Northern Bowl (Bills in Toronto Series) took place in Toronto at the Rogers Center. The Superior Heights Steelhawks (Sault Ste. Marie) jumped out to an early 31 to 0 halftime lead but had to hold on for a close 34 to 28 victory over Sir Winston Churchill Trojans (Thunder Bay).
A great 105 yard reception by Cam Claridge gave the Trojans hope, cutting the score to 34 to 28. A late fourth quarter interception by Steelhawks Luke Simard and a turnover on downs with 6 seconds remaining sealed the deal. The win marks the 4th win in a row for Sault Ste. Marie teams in the Northern Bowl, and the second in a row for the Steelhawks.
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The Northern Bowl dates back to 2004, the year the ‘5-bowl’ system was started. Two Athletic Associations NOSSA and NWOSSA each send one representative to the Northern Bowl. It should be noted that in both 2004 and 2005, there was an additional Bowl Festival that was offered, called the Central Bowl. The NOSSA champions competed in the Central Bowl for both those years and the NOSSA finalists participated in the Northern Bowl.
Although NOSSA has three member leagues, only Sault Ste. Marie and Nippissing District competed for the NOSSA championship in 2010 as Sudbury withdrew from the playdowns for one year. The NOSSA champions are awarded the Poupore Cup, which has been in existence since the early 1920’s.
NWOSSA has only one league (Thunder Bay), therefore their league champion advances directly to the Northern Bowl.
Championship Game Results
2011
Superior Heights (Sault Ste. Marie) 34 Sir Winston Churchill (Thunder Bay) 28
2010
Superior Heights (Sault Ste. Marie) 17 Westgate (Thunder Bay) 7
2009
Sir James Dunn (Sault Ste. Marie) 34 Sir Winston Churchill (Thunder Bay) 7
2008
St. Mary’s (Sault Ste. Marie) 31 Hammarskjold (Thunder Bay) 8
2007
Westgate (Thunder Bay) 21 St. Mary’s College (Sault Ste. Marie) 16
2006
St. Mary’s College (Sault Ste. Marie) 52 Westgate (Thunder Bay) 10
2005
Hammarskjold (Thunder Bay) 17 Widdifield (North Bay) 3
2004
West Ferris (North Bay) 27 Hammarskjold (Thunder Bay) 22
Files from OFSAA & “onthesideline“
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