Blustery May Long Weekend conditions weren’t enough to stop the 30th annual Senior Bowl. Alberta Football’s showcase of graduating grade 12 talent brought a provincial north and south team to Hellard Field in Shouldice Park, Calgary. Thanks to the help of a local player, Team North prevailed with a score of 23-14 before a packed house of 1,246 spectators.
The South opened the scoring with an 80-yard touchdown run from Medicine Hat tailback Kaden Wagner but it was all North from there with 23 unanswered points. Touchdowns from quarterback Silas Fagnan of Bonnyville and a scoop and score from Holy Rosary High School defensive end Dominic Caco sandwiched around three field goals from Edmonton’s Ethan Hartman all helped the North gain a lead.
The South made it interesting late with a touchdown pass from Calgary quarterback K.J. Stembridge to Medicine Hat’s Lachlan Hardiker early in the fourth to pull within 9 points. The North ran out the clock to preserve the victory. The M.V.P.’s of the game were Fagnan for the North and defensive back/kicker Jonathan Guistini from Notre Dame in Calgary for the South. In 30 years of history, the South continues to lead the series 16-13-1.
Earlier in the day in the Junior Bowl for U16 players, the South made a comeback capped by an 18 yard field goal with 2 minutes left to take the game 14-13. As well, in the 6-Man All-Star Game held in Lacombe, the South prevailed over the North 44-20.