It was a sunny brisk fall afternoon at St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School on Hamilton’s west mountain. The atmosphere was electric, the stands were full and the surrounding fence lined with passionate onlookers. This may we have been one of if not the biggest high school football game to take place in the steel city in many years. First place in the Hamilton Wentworth Catholic District School Board senior division was up for grabs. The opponent, the Cardinal Newman Catholic Secondary School Cardinals also undefeated and with an equal stake to first place as the regular season wound down and home field advantage. Hamilton’s Community television station, Cable 14 was on hand to bring the contest to those who couldn’t make it to the game.
Newman, the Canada Football Chat 6th ranked team in Canada was taking on their arch rivals, More, who also cracked the Canada Football Chat list at position 12. It had all the makings of a classic. More took the opening kick-off and brought the fans to their feet when starting Quarterback, Zack Odoardi connected for a 56 yard pass to bring the Knights into scoring position on their first play from scrimmage. Newman’s defense stiffened and held the Knights to a field goal. On More’s second possession a third and short gamble turned into an 86 yard scamper into the end zone by tailback Michael Chris-Ike for the games first major.
More drove again but Newman’s Matt Persia’s first interception turned the ball around and with the assistance of three penalties against the Knight’s the visiting Cardinals were able to march the ball into the More end zone and cut the lead to 3 by half time.
After the break these two heavy weights battled up and down the field with Newman gradually picking away at the score until they had taken the lead. More replaced Odoardi with recent McMaster commit, Zach Beno and the powerful armed Sr. did his best to bring the Knights back from the brink but Newman’s tough defense and in particular, Persia’s play in the secondary repeatedly ended More drives and preserved a tough win for the Cardinals who earned a tough 22-13 win and captured first place and home field advantage heading into the playoffs. “It was back and forth, punch for punch, and we were able to get the last punch in,” said Cardinal Newman coach Anthony Macaluso. “Every game it seems like we have one or two guys who step up.” The two schools are likely to meet once more on November 17th in the title game. First place is secure, at least for the next two weeks.
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