Last week the Humboldt Collegiate Institute football team wrapped up an undefeated regular season and is now turning its focus to the playoffs.
The Mohawks downed the Melfort Comets, 45-12, on Oct. 23. The victory improved HCI’s record to a perfect 6-0 for the regular season. The Mohawks secured first place in the nine-man conference 1 and guaranteed themselves a home playoff game.
“We knew we were playing a well-coached team,” HCI head coach Cory Popoff said. “What surprised us is that we played better as a team than we have seen the entire season.”
The Mohawks will take on Martensville in the 3A provincial quarterfinals on Oct. 31 at Glenn Hall Park at 1 p.m. Martensville went 2-5 on the season and beat Kindersley on Saturday to earn its spot in the quarterfinals. Popoff said that
Martensville utilizes unique offensive sets and will provide a different challenge for the Mohawks defence.
“We have to prepare hard and get our preparation in place,” Popoff said.
The Mohawks know well that anything can happen in the playoffs. HCI went 2-4 last season, but made a strong postseason run to the provincial championship game. Popoff said the Mohawks figured out in the playoffs how to play as a team. That has carried over to this season.
“We kept the same coaching staff. … players understand what we expect of them, how we expect them to play, and how to support each other,” Popoff said.
Against Melfort, the Mohawks faced a solid opponent. The Comets posted a 4-2 regular season record.
“The score is not indicative of the game,” Popoff said. “Melfort was in the game the entire time. … It was a fun game to play in.”
In addition to their strong play, another highlight of the Comets contest for the Mohawks was the return of some injured players. This enhanced the team’s depth.
The first quarter was a well-played, defensive battle. Popoff said the teams were feeling each other out on both offence and defence. HCI made key adjustments starting in the second quarter and continuing into the second half.
HCI scored first on a three-yard run by Genesis Legaspi. The Mohawks added three more points on a Cole Grace field goal that was made possible by an interception by Jared Giddings. On the other side of the ball, Giddings caught a 69-yard touchdown pass from Landon Seipp.
Just before halftime, Melfort added six points on a four-yard run. It came after a blocked punt and a drive that included a fake punt pass on third down.
In the second half, HCI was strong in all facets of the game. Tanner Gerwing returned a Melfort punt to within the Comets’ 10-yard line. That led to a Jacob Zimroz TD. Legaspi scored on a pass from Seipp and also returned an interception for a TD.
