The Holland College Hurricanes men’s football team secured a homefield semifinal game next week by defeating the Dalhousie Tigers 24-1 on Saturday in Charlottetown.
‘Canes quarterbacks Brady Crowe and Brennan Davis combined for 141 passing yards, with Davis adding a rushing touchdown. Davis also went three-for-four on field goal attempts. Andre Goulbourne rushed for 70 yards and a touchdown.
It was another win for the ‘Canes, but the game was even more special for another reason. The team hosted P.E.I. atom football players during halftime. The youngsters met with the ‘Canes in the locker room before the game and run out on to the field with them to start the game.
The teams also got a chance for their young players to show off their own skills with some scrimmages at halftime. Head coach Ross Young said the Hurricanes were excited about hosting the teams.
“It’s a big day for the little guys to be able to meet, get autographs and pictures with the ‘Canes and important for our players to remember they are role models for these young girls and boys,” Young said.
It was a cold and windy day, and the Hurricanes had a hard time getting into a rhythm in the first quarter. Any momentum was stalled by penalties. But they got on the board with a one-yard rushing touchdown by Goulbourne. Crowe went to Cole Brydges for a two-point conversion, putting them up 8-0 with a little over two minutes left in the quarter.
In the second quarter, Davis kicked a 34-yard field goal, putting the ‘Canes up 11-0 with a little over 10 minutes left. On their next possession, Davis had a short punt that put the Tigers on the ‘Canes 40-yard line. The Tigers scored one point, making the score 11-1 with just under five minutes left.
Davis came in to relieve Crowe at quarterback. With just under two minutes left in the half, Davis went to Brydges for a long touchdown pass, but it was called back because of a penalty. The ‘Canes started moving the ball down the field, but a Tiger interception ended the half.
The third quarter started with Crowe back in a quarterback, hitting Jacob Hampel with a 30-yard pass. Off-setting penalties set up Davis for a 47-yard field goal, putting the ‘Canes up 14-1 with eight minutes left. Davis later converted another 35-yard field goal making the score 17-1 to end the quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the ‘Canes defence stepped up their game by stopping the Tigers on their own three-yard line and getting a turnover on downs. Joshua Feaster made a couple of huge tackles to stuff the Tiger running game. Davis was later set-up for another 35-yard line but it went wide, keeping the score 17-1 with a little over six minutes left.
Defensive end A.J. Fields intercepted a Tigers pass with three minutes left. Davis, back in at quarterback, started running the ball down the field with time ticking away. A Tigers facemask penalty gave the ‘Canes another 10 yards, putting them on the one-yard line with a minute left in the game. Davis leaped over the Tigers defensive line into the end zone, making the final score 24-1.
“It felt good. It made me feel like Superman diving in there,” Davis said. “I was really hoping the coach would let me do it.”
Next up, the Hurricanes will square off in the semifinal game next Saturday at 1 p.m. on MacAdam Field at UPEI Alumni Canada Games Place.
