The Holland College Hurricanes men’s football team’s season ended one step away from the AFL championship game, when they lost to the Dalhousie Tigers 21-18 in the semifinal on Saturday.
The ‘Canes had standout performances from Tyler Majuary, Brennan Davis and Cole Brydges. Majuray had two touchdown catches, one came from the arm of Brady Crowe and the other from Davis.
Davis played well in multiple positions in the game and added a field goal. Brydges had a great day on kick and punt returns. The ‘Canes special teams chipped in, scoring one point on a tackle in the end zone.
Momentum was on the ‘Canes side in the first half, but shifted to the Tigers in the second half. The ‘Canes took penalties and committed turnovers that cost them field position and had a hard time shutting down the Tiger running game.
Head coach Ross Young said in this league, anyone can win on any given day.
“It’s what we love about football. The Tigers worked hard all week and were prepared,” he said. “Dalhousie was the better football team today. They came to play.”
When the game kicked off, it was a beautiful calm day. Conditions were ideal for a passing attack. Crowe hit Majuary with a 15-yard touchdown pass with a little over eight minutes left in the first quarter. The score remained at 7-0 at the end of the quarter.
In the second quarter, Crowe eluded a collapsing pocket and threw a 23-yard pass to Davis that he wrestled away from a Tigers’ defender, setting the ‘Canes up on the two-yard line. The ‘Canes had to settle for a Davis field goal putting them up 10-0.
With a little over two minutes left in the quarter, the ‘Canes special teams picked up another point with a tackle in the end zone on a Tigers punt return, putting them up 11-0. On their next possession, Davis had a huge hurdle over a Tigers defender on the sideline for a 20-yard gain, but penalties ended up pushing the ‘Canes back 60 yards and the score remained 11-0 at the end of the half.
In the third quarter, Crowe fumbled, putting the Tigers on the ‘Canes 20-yard line. The Tigers made it 11-7. Crowe later threw an interception and the Tigers took over at midfield. But corner back Tristen Hull intercepted a Tigers pass, getting the ball back for the ‘Canes. Crowe was stripped of the ball on the next possession and the Tigers went up 14-11 with a little over six minutes left.
Later on, the ‘Canes went for an onside kick that was recovered by Adam Shambemeridan. Davis hit Majuary with a touchdown pass, putting the ‘Canes up 18-14 to end the quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the Tigers got another touchdown putting them up 21-18. The ‘Canes then attempted a long field goal by Davis but came up short. On the ‘Canes next possession, Davis went to Brydges with a little over a minute left. Davis ran the ball but was short of the first down. Then Davis took a long deep shot into the end zone but it was incomplete, causing a turnover on downs. The Tigers took the game with a final score of 21-18.
After the game, Majuary said it was an extremely tough loss. He was shocked. They had beaten the Tigers twice already this year.
“I’m at a loss for words. We prepared well and they came in with the better team. We beat ourselves every time with mistakes,” he said.
The Hurricanes had a great regular season, going five and one. They have 44 rookies on the team and will try again next year to win the championship.
“There are great things ahead for the team,” Coach Young said. “I’m very proud of each one of these player’s.”
Compiled by Bradley Collins for Holland College
