With strong defence and a fourth quarter offensive outburst, the Humboldt Collegiate Institute football team advanced to the 3A provincial nine-man semifinals.
The Mohawks downed the Martensville Royals, 15-3, in quarterfinal action at Glenn Hall Park on Oct. 31. Martensville kicked a field goal in the second quarter. The Royals held a 3-0 lead until the Mohawks were able to score two touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
“Kudos to the Martensville coaching staff,” HCI head coach Cory Popoff said. “They coached a defence that matched up with our offence.”
The Mohawks will now host the undefeated Warman Wolverines in the semifinals on Nov. 7 at 1 p.m. at Glenn Hall Park. Warman advanced by romping past Broadview, 69-7. In the other semifinal, Melfort will take on North Battleford’s John Paul II Collegiate.
Popoff said his team will be working hard to get ready for the Wolverines. Warman runs a spread offence that is similar to what the Mohawks employ.
“I think the key to the game is putting the best players into the positions they need to be and to match up with their offence,” Popoff said.
Early on on Saturday, the defences shined for both the Royals and Mohawks.
“It was very much a defensive battle in the first three quarters for sure,” Popoff said.
While Martensville was able to pick up three points, HCI prevented their opponent from scoring a TD all day. The Mohawks neutralized the Royals’ passing game. Humboldt picked off the Martensville QB and batted down some passes.
HCI’s Jared Giddings had two interceptions.
“I think our defence played absolutely solid the entire game,” Popoff said.
Martensville was able to gain some yards on the ground, however the Humboldt defence bent but just would not break. The offensive line controlled the gaps, while the linebacking corps also played well, Popoff said. When the Royals were able to get into the red zone, the Mohawks D tightened up and prevented touchdowns from being scoring.
On the game’s second play of the day, Mohawks running back Jacob Zimroz got banged up. He did not return until the fourth quarter.
“Our inside game was not working very well obviously,” Popoff said of Zimroz’s absence. “You take a dimension out of our offensive system that is what happens.”
Zimroz returned in the fourth quarter and the Mohawks, who made some adjustments, were able to put points on the board. Zimroz earned some yards inside. HCI pivot Landon Siepp was able to hurt Martensville on some quarterback keepers and with his arm.
A 55-yard run and catch play by Giddings, who also plays slotback, led to a Siepp rushing touchdown with about six and a half minutes remaining. Siepp added another rushing TD late in the contest.
