The Lo-Ellen Park Senior Knights can thank their junior football counterparts for setting the table for their four-peat.

Making their re-appearence in the junior loop this year following a short absence, Lo-Ellen set the wheels in motion for a football sweep thanks to a 27-6 victory by the Junior Knights over the St Charles College Cardinals one night earlier.

Running back Levi Blouin rushed for three touchdowns and was named game MVP as Lo-Ellen bounced back after needing a last second field goal to slip past the Lively Hawks in semi-final action after posting an undefeated 5-0 mark in regular season play.

“We went into that game a little cocky,” suggested middle linebacker Connor Monahan, who combined with the likes of Mikko Leinela, Caleb Middaugh, Hudson Leblanc and Noah Skrobot in making life difficult for SCC QB Nolan Larche and company in the championship affair.

“People were laughing, not paying attention and that game showed us that it’s football and anything can happen.”

Named as a team captain this year, Monahan is difficult to miss, consistently involved in the play, a testament to the training he received playing Joe MacDonald Youth Football (grade 8), Sudbury Jr Spartans (U16) that summer and with the Lo-Ellen senior team last year, given that the Knights did not re-emerge with a junior entry until this fall.

“Joe Mac taught me all of the basics and the rules of football,” said Monahan. “Playing on the senior team, I was basically a bench-warmer – but at practice, I could get reps and had people teaching me (like 2023 all-star linebacker Michael McTiernan). This year, I got to share what I know with the new kids.”

With Byron Marshall rounding out the scoring for the winners with a pick-six (Nolan Larche accounted the Cardinals’ TD), Lo-Ellen coaches Harley Laalo and Frank Rocca helped guide the Knights to their first junior football banner since 1984, with Rocca (a former CFLer) having enjoyed previous success with the St Benedict senior Bears.

“He’s the best coach – always supportive,” said Monahan. “When we mess up, he tells us what to fix. He’s always there for us.”

The Lo-Ellen juniors will join the seniors in making the trip to Sault Ste Marie, though with no North Bay entry at that level, the junior Knights and their opponents will do battle with a NOSSA banner on the line next Saturday.