St. Thomas More Knights vs Terry Fox Ravens

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Divisional games always bring the best out of teams. With playoff spots and seeding on the line with every game, the intensity of matchups always ramps up this time of year. In a AAA Central contest, the St. Thomas More Knights took on the Terry Fox Ravens in a back-and-forth affair that came down to the final moments of the game. When the clock hit zero, the Knights emerged victorious 28-27.

The Knights opened the scoring on a long drive. The plan for that opening drive was simple and effective: pound the ball with Cristian Coletta. That method of attack was used throughout the game as Coletta was a workhorse with 20 runs for 183 yards rushing, as well as the opening score. 

The Ravens' game plan showcased a different approach: let quarterback Firth Ben work his magic. Ben scrambled away from STM defenders, kept the ball on designed runs and threw the ball with excellent timing to his receivers within structure.

The Ravens answered that first score from the Knights when Ben found Jacob Trudeau on a go ball from just past midfield to tie the game. Not long after, with the ball back in the Ravens' hands, Ben took off on an electric 30-yard scramble to set his team up inside the five-yard line. The Ravens would punch the ball in a couple of plays later and take their first lead of the game, 15-7.

With the Ravens' run defence keying on Colletta and the Knights' run game, STM switched things up. Knights quarterback Isaiah Smith took the snap, faked to a teammate working across the formation and launched a perfect pass downfield to Liam Golding for six. Milano Peloso would throw a running back pass to Alex Johnston to even the score at 15 on the ensuing two-point try.

After the Knights made a defensive stop deep in their end, their offence executed a near-perfect two-minute drill with Isaiah Smith hitting Milano Peloso with a 30-yard strike with just seconds left in the first half.

On STM's second possession of the half, Milano Peloso pounded the ball in on a sweep from 5 yards out to extend the Knights' lead.

STM may have been up two scores, but this game was far from over. First, Bobby Tilley cut into the lead on a long run off a beautiful double-handoff reverse play. After a big stop, the Ravens got the ball back. Terry Fox would cap that drive off when Woodsen MacRae took a handoff off tackle to the right and burst into the open field for a 13-yard score with five minutes to play. On the ensuing extra point, STM blocked the convert to keep a 28-27 lead.

The Ravens would get one more chance with the ball with under two minutes to go, but the Knights would make a huge stop on fourth and long to seal the victory. 

"I was very proud of our guys. We’ve shown resilience throughout the season so far, and tonight was more of that," said Knights head coach Jared Power.

"If we can improve upon our tendency to ride emotional ups and downs during games, we will be able to meet our full potential at the right time of the year. Back to work to prepare for Seaquam next week," he said.

As the Knights shift their focus to their next opponent, the Ravens will do the same as they get ready for a crucial game against the New Westminster Hyacks next Friday.