NOSSA football semifinal no 'shocker'

It would be difficult for anyone who has followed high school football in Northern Ontario to classify the NOSSA semifinal as much of a shocker.

Despite the fact that Sudbury made a re-appearance after a couple of years away, courtesy of the city champion Lo-Ellen Park Knights, the Sault Ste. Marie dominance was evident yet again.

The St Mary's Knights advanced easily to the 2012 NOSSA final, bouncing their namesakes to the east by a final score of 37-7 Nov. 10 in the Lock City.

Dylan Hebert was nearly unstoppable for St Mary's, racking up no less than four touchdowns spread out equally between the air (catching passes of 27 and 46 yards) and the ground (runs of one and 51 yards).

In addition to rushing for 147 yards on 16 carries, the Sault Ste. Marie native also caught a pair of passes for 73 yards.

Phil Turcotte added the remaining major for the home side, scampering home from four yards out in the second quarter, with kicker Brandon Vernelli chipping in with a trio of converts and a single point off a field goal gone astray.

Brady Lavigne countered with the lone Lo-Ellen touchdown, returning a kickoff 85 yards to the end zone in the opening minute of the second quarter. Sudbury quarterback Brady Ellsworth finished with a passing line of 9/16 for 63 yards, with two interceptions, while Jonah Blatt hauled in a pair of catches for 33 yards, complementing a 81-yard rushing effort (13 carries) for Matt Glass.

With the win, St Mary's earns the right to host the NOSSA final, welcoming the St Joseph Scollard-Hall Bears from North Bay. As for the SDSSAA contingent, only the end of year awards banquet remains, with countless locals beginning their off-season preparation for summer football with the Sudbury Gladiators in the spring.