The North Battleford Comp Vikings will be handing over their 3A football title to a new champion this year.
That was confirmed following a 42-8 playoff defeat in Saskatoon against Evan Hardy Souls, in Saskatoon league semifinal action.
Evan Hardy set the tone with a long 104 yard run by Jean Claude Wonhunnid into the end zone for a touchdown in the first quarter.
Overall, Wonhunnid had 161 yards rushing on the day and scored two touchdowns. Blade Wiggins also scored two touchdowns.
The Vikings’ only points came in the second quarter. They scored a single early in the quarter, and then at the 10:30 mark they scored their only one touchdown off of a JT Lamb carry into the end zone.
That cut the margin to 14-8. Unfortunately the Souls answered back right away with a 42-yard pass into the end zone to Nathan Lukan.
The Souls then added 14 points in the third and one more touchdown in the fourth quarter to leave no doubt as to the outcome.
Lamb carried the ball 18 times for 100 yards for the Vikings, his longest run being for 16 yards. Zane Florence carried the ball eight times for 50 yards, his longest being 29 yards. Quarterback Connor Neave went 8 for 17 for 179 yards with two interceptions, while Adam Elefson caught four passes for 76 yards, the longest being for 53 yards.
Evan Hardy now takes on Bishop James Mahoney in the 3A City final. The date of the provincial final is Nov. 10.
Crusaders crush Meadow Lake
The news was far better for fans of the John Paul II Crusaders. They hosted Meadow Lake in nine-man semifinal action Saturday and completely dominated by a score of 48-0.
Next up for the Crusaders in 3A playoff action is Broadview.
Hafford Vikings are still in the running for a 1A six-man provincial title with quarter-finals taking place Saturday on the Vikings home field against LCBI. The game starts at 1 p.m.
