ST. PAUL – On a bleak, frosty November afternoon, snow fell as opposing teams struggled to keep their 2022 football seasons alive.
The Sexsmith Sabres put pressure against the St. Paul Lions during the Nov. 12 match, ending the first half with a three-point lead, 6-3.
In the third quarter, the Lions tried to fight back, but the Sabres once again showcased their defensive capabilities and tackled the Lions multiple times – not allowing the home team to score.
But the Lions’ defensive team also kept the Sabres from scoring, preventing them from furthering the lead. By the end of the quarter, the Sabres held on to their three-point lead.
The Lions opened with a field goal 15 seconds into the last quarter, tying the score 6-6. Then with six minutes to go, the Lions finally took the lead 9-6 with another field goal.
However, the Sabres slipped through and scored a long touchdown, along with the extra point to take the lead again, 13-9. With one minute left in the final quarter, the Sabres maintained their lead.
While the opposing team attempted to ensure victory, the Lions’ defensive team did not let up and kept intercepting the Sabres’ attempt to widen the gap.
Lions head coach Mark Tichkowsky then called for a timeout.
“I told the boys what was on the line,” said Tichkowsky, after the game. “All the time was starting to run out... the only good thing we had were a couple of timeouts."
Up until this point in the match, the Lions scored only field goals, and had yet to score a touchdown.
If the Lions were to win, with less than a minute left on the clock, a field goal would not be enough to overtake the Sabre’s four-point lead. They needed a touchdown worth six points, but the Sabres proved themselves a strong opponent, having halted the Lions’ previous attempts.
According to Tichkowsky, while players sometimes feel like giving up, “anything can happen in high school football.”
Finally, the referee’s whistle blew to signal both teams to return to the field.
Both teams faced off, then the football was passed to Luke Germain (#30), who started aiming for the end zone. The Sabres tried to stop the attempt, but Germain’s teammates prevented the Sabres from catching the running back.
Nothing stood in the way as Germain crossed 60 yards to score the team’s first touchdown and the Lions’ key to victory.
After scoring an extra point, the Lions closed the match 16-13.
“It had to be an act of God,” said defensive and offensive lineman Brett Barton (#61), who explained the match was the “most roller-coaster game I’ve ever played.”
“The ball was tipped right to [Germain’s] hands and the blocks were just perfect,” recalled Barton. “[Germain] basically walked in the endzone at the end – it was beautiful.”
Wide receiver Wyatt Noel (#6) said the Lions’ “heads were down” but they did not give up. He said it felt “amazing” when the Lions turned the game around.
Noel also commended the Sabres, stating the game “was really even.”
Defensive tackle Sawyer Amos-Slonowski (#10) was still in “shock” after the game, stating “it’s just hard to get words out of my mouth.”
“Man, it was a roller coaster one hell of a game,” said Amos-Slonowski. “We were [either] losing or winning... we definitely had our doubts... But we kept our heads up.”
He concluded by commending the defensive team who “really shined.”
The match was also Ryan Fodchuk’s (#5) first game after returning from an injury earlier in the season, and he too was in shock after the match.
“It was a battle... and just a miracle we came back,” said Fodchuk. “This team really showed itself today [because] it was just a war, and they didn’t quit.”
He added, “It was true Lions’ pride... it’s just everything we could have dreamed of.”
Loic Ndongwa (#22) who is still on his way to recovery from an injury, was also present at the game to give his support. He rejoiced at the team’s victory.
“I’m so happy and I hope we continue like this to the end of the season,” said Ndongwa.
Tichkowksy said the Lions are now preparing for the North Championship. He concluded by referring back to the game against Sexsmith.
“When it came down to it, our seniors stepped up at the end and made magic happen.”
The St. Paul Lions will now play the Ardrossan Bisons on Nov. 19 for the Tier IV Northern Alberta Championship. They are scheduled to play in Sherwood Park at the Emerald Hills Stadium at noon.
The Lions last won the Northern Alberta championship game in 2018 and 2019 but have never won the Alberta Bowl.
The Alberta Bowl is scheduled to take place on Nov. 25.
