A tested, historic rivalry and a dramatic two-point difference made the AAA varsity semi-final between Vancouver College and St. Thomas More one of the most dramatic, memorable games Todd Bernett has ever coached.
The Fighting Irish head coach stayed sharp for four intense quarters as Vancouver College hung on to win 42-40.
The back-and-forth nature of the second half, the will of both teams, the pain the young men on both sides played through, and the respect we have for each other that is what made it the craziest, he said of the Nov. 24 contest at Thunderbird Stadium at UBC.
STM trailed 21-7 at the half but rallied in the third quarter on a three-touchdown output to tie the game at 28.
With less than eight minutes to play, Fighting Irish receiver Rashaun Simonise made his third touchdown catch of the game, this one on a third-and-25 all-or-nothing pass from quarterback Hunter Robinson. Leading by one TD, Bernett knew the game was far from over.
The Knights scored but missed the convert to come within one of the Irish. The Irish defence came up huge again, forcing the Knights to turn the ball over on downs.
Liam Mahara then ran 65 yards for his second touchdown, giving Vancouver College an eight-point advantage with 44 seconds on the clock.
Despite the margin, the win was still not assured, said Bernett.
And even after going up 42-34 with under a minute left, I still did not feel it was over.
It wasnt.
They scored with four seconds left, and we had to stop a two-point
convert to win.
The Irish defence was solid yet again, and Vancouver College won by the difference of the missed two extra points.
For the second time in three seasons, the Fighting Irish will contend for a AAA varsity football championship and will compete in the 2012 Subway Bowl. Kick off is 7 p.m. Dec. 1 at B.C. Place Stadium against the defending champion Mt. Douglas Rams.
Twitter: @MHStewart
