The three-peat is complete for the Holland College Hurricanes.
The ‘Canes defeated the Dalhousie Tigers 32-24 to capture their third straight Atlantic Football League title Saturday in Charlottetown.
“This is awesome. It’s unbelievable to come back and win it a third time,” said defensive back Jay Dearborn, who has been part of all three wins.
He said it is a great accomplishment with the college’s two-year programs leading to large turnovers annually on the team.
“A lot of the guys out here, they’re celebrating the win and the . . . end of their careers,” Dearborn said as he watched his teammates get pictures taken together.
Receiver Jeff Hillier scored a 75-yard touchdown on a sweep with 23 seconds left in the first quarter to make it 7-2.
"Carson (Halliwell) gave me a great block on the edge there, that just set me free, just had to break one tackle, went all the way to the house," he said. It was a "big momentum changer. We needed that to kickstart our offence and look what happened, went off for 32 points."
The Hurricanes led 25-2 at the half and 25-9 heading to the fourth.
"To be able to punch a couple in was huge," Dearborn said of the second quarter scores.
In the second quarter, Hillier said he sustained a concussion after taking a helmet to the back of his helmet.
Hillier has won four titles and has been with the program for six years. He lost a couple years to injuries.
"This group of guys is something special," he said. "We came together as a team and we were able to prevail."
Hurricanes head coach Kyle Quinlan was ejected with 8:32 left in the third quarter following a punt return that ended near the Hurricanes sideline. Quinlan went onto the field was visible upset.
Holland College officials said he was not at the field after the game.
Assistant coach Ken Dearborn said things escalated quickly in the heat of the moment following the call on the sidelines.
"The kids didn't lose their focus," he said. "I admire them for what they did."
The three-peat is complete for the Holland College Hurricanes.
The ‘Canes defeated the Dalhousie Tigers 32-24 to capture their third straight Atlantic Football League title Saturday in Charlottetown.
“This is awesome. It’s unbelievable to come back and win it a third time,” said defensive back Jay Dearborn, who has been part of all three wins.
He said it is a great accomplishment with the college’s two-year programs leading to large turnovers annually on the team.
“A lot of the guys out here, they’re celebrating the win and the . . . end of their careers,” Dearborn said as he watched his teammates get pictures taken together.
Receiver Jeff Hillier scored a 75-yard touchdown on a sweep with 23 seconds left in the first quarter to make it 7-2.
"Carson (Halliwell) gave me a great block on the edge there, that just set me free, just had to break one tackle, went all the way to the house," he said. It was a "big momentum changer. We needed that to kickstart our offence and look what happened, went off for 32 points."
The Hurricanes led 25-2 at the half and 25-9 heading to the fourth.
"To be able to punch a couple in was huge," Dearborn said of the second quarter scores.
In the second quarter, Hillier said he sustained a concussion after taking a helmet to the back of his helmet.
Hillier has won four titles and has been with the program for six years. He lost a couple years to injuries.
"This group of guys is something special," he said. "We came together as a team and we were able to prevail."
Hurricanes head coach Kyle Quinlan was ejected with 8:32 left in the third quarter following a punt return that ended near the Hurricanes sideline. Quinlan went onto the field was visible upset.
Holland College officials said he was not at the field after the game.
Assistant coach Ken Dearborn said things escalated quickly in the heat of the moment following the call on the sidelines.
"The kids didn't lose their focus," he said. "I admire them for what they did."
