Lions Roar Into Championship Final

By Robert Thomas

It will be an all Moose Jaw U12 championship final as the U12 Moose Jaw Lions defeated the U12 Swift Current Steelers 56 - 20 in Kinsmen Moose Jaw Minor Football semi-final playoff action on Saturday evening.

The win will see the regular season top U12 team the Lions face the number two regular season team the Moose Jaw Spartans in the championship final next Saturday evening October 28th at Elks Athletic Field.

The First Quarter saw the Lions go up 20 - 7 against the Steelers.

The Second Quarter saw the Lions ahead solidly at the half 42 - 20.

The Third Quarter saw the Lions increase their lead 50 - 20 over the Steelers.

The Fourth Quarter saw the Lions round out the scoring 56 - 20 after the Steelers prevented the conversion.

For Moose Jaw Lions head coach Kellyn Bollinger was highly satisfied with the team’s performance.

“It feels great. I knew these boys had it in them and it is just great to come out and see them perform the way I know they can,” Bollinger said.

“I’m looking forward to playing the Spartans next week.”

Asked if he thought the Lions would walk away with the game Bollinger said he had not.

“No I didn’t. Swift Current showed again they are a great team. They played really hard defensive football. They tackle well and they gave us a run today.”

One of the biggest plays for the Steelers was when punting the ball on third and long their punter Ryker Penner was unable to punt the ball due to a bad snap and had to run.

In the ensuing run Penner cut back and forth and was able to get the Steelers the first down.

Asked about the big play by Krosby Jackman where it looked like he was headed for an 80 yard plus touchdown only to be tackled out of nowhere he said it happens.

“Yup it’s a long field. These guys get tired out there. Sometimes they are cutting across and back so it happens…he was tuckering out that was a long run.”

Bollinger said he was looking for the team to play the same way they did all season in next weekend’s championship game.

“What we always look for great effort. Nine guys on the field, all trying to make place for us. It’s a team effort and we need to make sure that we’re putting our best out there 100 percent on every play.”

Asked was the team’s secret of success this year he said it was the kids.

“To me it’s them. They’ve been a great group all year. They have been practising hard week in and we out and it shows out on the field.”