The Confederation Chargers and Lo-Ellen Park Knights looked perfectly at ease celebrating SDSSAA senior football victories Friday at the James Jerome Sports Complex.
Despite missing out on the playoffs this year, the St Charles College Cardinals were far more exuberant in their post-victory excitement on Friday - and understandably so.
After going winless in 2024 and sitting with an 0-4 record entering their final encounter this fall, the Cards were more than a tad motivated as they faced the winless Lasalle Lancers early Friday evening.
Lineman turned fullback Nick Shakes bulldozed his way to the end zone on four separate occasions as the Cards defeated the Lancers 41-26, earning the opportunity to let off a little steam in a most positive of manners.
Quarterback Nolan Larche and running back Noah Arsenault accounted for the remaining two majors while kicker Alessandro Moretta made good on five of his six convert atempts.
The Lancers countered with scores from QB Ryder Kirby (2 X TD), Jude St Michael-Leblanc (TD), Rashaun Asare-Corbiere (TD), Dash Kamal (PAT) and Colton Cooke (PAT).
Four time defending city champs, the Lo-Ellen Park Knights prepped for what should be an entertaining semi-final matchup next Friday with the St Benedict Bears, disposing of the Lively Hawks by a final count of 43-14.
The Knights mixed in both rushing TDs (Jove Ferreira-McGibbon (2 X TD) and passing scores (Quin Mazzuchin (2); Mishal Olanrewaju, Noah Skrobot - all on passes from QB Noah Parsons) as they look to book their tickets to yet another city final.
Luca Cucullo added a pair of converts, Mishal Olanrewaju was good for one and Dax Yurich chipped in with a two-point PAT while the Knights' defense added a safety to round out the scoring.
Cam MacIntosh was front and centre offensively for Lively, registering a touchdown and two converts with Riley Kirwan also hitting the scoresheet with a six-pointer of his own as QB Ryder Villeneuve gave Lively fans at least a few reasons to cheer with some impressive downfield connections with his receiving corps.
Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to offset while Lo-Ellen was able to do on the attack as Ferreira-McGibbon amassed more than one hundred yards on the ground for the winners.
"In terms of my development, I am happiest with the way that I keep my feet moving now," said the 17 year-old senior back. "And I have to give a round of applause to my "O-Line" too, because they make sure I stay honest to them."
"They push my back."
Challenged to reach the standards set by recent Lo-Ellen championship sides, the 2025 Knights are starting to round into form at just the right time.
"We made sure that we were dialed in all week, practicing hard," said Ferreira-McGibbon. "Honestly, intensity has been our biggest thing this week, just making sure that we were giving ourselves the most authentic game-like reps in practice to prepare ourselves for game day."
Regardless of how things play out in the LEP / STB semi-final, the Confederation Chargers are looking to be a really tough out this fall. The first place finishers made it four shutouts in five regular season wins in the Friday finale, blanking St Benedict 33-0.
To their credit, the Bears kept this game close into the second half, something that has not happened in most of the Confederation encounters to date, the Chargers up only 12-0 at the break.
Unfortunately for coach Junior Labrosse and company, Chargers' multi-purpose talent King David Igiehon scampered more than 50 yards on the second play of the second half and the dye was cast as the Green and Gold cruised to victory.
Owen Blay (2) and Tucker Lalonde also crossed the goal line for the winners while Domadius Aziz was good for another seven points thanks to a field goal and four conversions.
With the final four now established, Confederation and Lively will take to the field Friday (October 16th) at 3:00 p.m., with Lo-Ellen and St Benedict following suit at 5:15 p.m.
