St. Francis Browns are senior boys football Division 1 champs again
It had been five long years since the St. Francis Browns had last won a senior boys Division 1 football championship, but all of that heartache came to an end over the weekend as the Browns won a thriller over the Ernest Manning Griffins.
Field goal kicker Lucas Hryniuk won it on the last play of the game as he booted a 43-yard field goal into the wind to give Browns a 24-22 victory.
Hryniuk says it was a little nerve wracking.
"All I was thinking was that our team got us into field goal range, so I’ll just try my best to make it," said the 16 year old.
"Right when I looked up, I knew it was going through. I kicked it and it went through, and all I know is I’m getting tackled by all of my teammates."
What a way to win it
Hryniuk says getting tackled never felt so good.
Rocco Sirianni is a defensive back with the Browns. He is also the holder on field goals.
Sirianni says he knew Hryniuk had made it right when the ball came off of his foot.
"Just pinning the ball and looking up through the kick and seeing it go dead straight, it was definitely a huge emotion in my life and my whole football career," he said.
"It was a big thing for Lucas especially, to just kick that big kick and win the city champs. It was huge."
The drought is over
This was the Browns' 28th city title.
At St. Francis. the pressure is always there to win. and the five-year drought seemed like an eternity.
Chris Scarpino is in his first year as the head coach, and he says it’s nice to be the champs again.
"Still a little surreal, to be honest with you, based on the ending there," he said.
"Happy to bring the shield back for all of the alumni that I know wanted to see it won every year."
Now it’s time for the provincials
As good as the win felt, the Browns now turn their attention to the provincials.
The first test is LCI out of Lethbridge on Saturday at Hellard field at Shouldice Park.
Hryniuk expects it to be another good battle.
"LCI is a really good team," he said.
"We did beat them before, but they’re definitely much better now. There’s a reason why they made it to the provincials, so I don’t think it’s gong to be easy, but I think we have a good chance of winning it this year."
The Browns played LCI earlier this year and beat them.
Sirianni says he knows they’ll be facing a better team at the provincials.
"LCI is definitely a very dominant team in the league too," he said.
"They have two of their best players back this week, so definitely it will be a completely different team and definitely a big game."
"Again, anyone in this provincial bracket can take it home so it’s really who wants it best in the whole series."
Kick off for the Browns and LCI is at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau and Harris? Poilievre and Trump? Here's who Canadians think would work best with: survey
As Americans prepare to elect their next president on Tuesday, new data from the Angus Reid Institute suggests Canadians hold differing views as to which federal party leaders would be best suited to deal with either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris.
B.C. port employers launch lockout at terminals in labour dispute with workers
Employers at British Columbia ports say they are going ahead with locking out more than 700 foremen across the province after strike activities from union members began.
Months after VRBO booking, Taylor Swift fan told home 'not available' during Vancouver concert
A frustrated Taylor Swift fan is speaking out after being pushed from a short-term rental she booked for the upcoming Vancouver leg of the superstar’s Eras Tour.
Felonies, assassination attempts and a last-minute change on the ticket leads voters to Tuesday's U.S. election
A campaign that has careened through a felony trial, incumbent being pushed off the ticket and assassination attempts comes down to Election Day on Tuesday.
Measles cases in New Brunswick more than double in three days
A measles outbreak declared in New Brunswick’s Zone 3 last week, which includes Fredericton and the upper Saint John River Valley, has more than doubled since last week.
Prison sentences handed down for sexually abusive London, Ont. parents
In handing down the sentences for two London parents, Justice Thomas Heeney told the court, "The facts of this case were the most egregious that I have encountered during my 26 years on the bench."
She was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes about a year ago. Here's how her condition was reversed
A year ago, Lorraine O'Quinn was coping with stress, chronic illness and Type 2 diabetes. Then she discovered a health program that she says changed her life.
Surprise swing state? Iowa poll has Harris suddenly leading
Based on victories in the past two elections and polls leading up to Tuesday’s election, Donald Trump had seemed almost certain to win Iowa, but a new poll has Kamala Harris with a sudden three-point lead.
Russia suspected of sending incendiary devices on US- and Canada-bound planes, Wall Street Journal reports
Incendiary devices that ignited in Germany and the United Kingdom in July were part of a covert Russian operation that aimed to start fires aboard cargo and passenger flights heading to the U.S. and Canada, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Monday, citing Western security officials.