Mitch Calvert
Thankfully, the result had no effect on the standings.
The Muskies (2-5) dropped a lopsided 48-0 decision to a superior Sturgeon Heights Huskies (7-0) team in Winnipeg on Friday—but their first-round playoff opponent already was decided in the form of the Garden City Fighting Gophers before they even took the field.
“The boys never quit, they played right from the get-go,” Muskie head coach Vince Gouin said.
“Their coach was saying they had 10 kids from the Winnipeg Rods club team come over [for tryouts], and that’s where they got a couple lineman and one of the running backs,” he added. “They have a very talented team.
“They are probably more talented than what I saw from Kelvin [last year].”
Gouin said the Huskies’ defence keyed in on running back Matt DiPiero and limited him to no positive yardage on the ground.
“Our makeshift offensive line had trouble with their run blocking, but their pass blocking wasn’t too bad and we didn’t give up any sacks again,” Gouin noted.
With the running game struggling, Muskie quarterback Dan Brunetta was kept in check again, connecting on just four-of-13 passes for 27 yards. Brad McDonald led all receivers with two catches for 13 yards while Andre Valenzuela added two grabs for 12 yards.
The Muskies scored a minor victory by holding the Huskies scoreless on their first three drives—something Gouin said hadn’t been a common occurrence against the division’s most dominant team that racked up 338 points in their seven victories.
Mason McKay filled in for the injured Tyler Abma at fullback and added 27 rushing yards. The platoon between McKay and DiPiero will have to continue since Abma is on the shelf no matter how far the black-and-gold advance in the playoffs.
“He’s aching to come out and play but for him, personally, it’s much better in the long run,” Gouin said of Abma. “The doctor said the finger break is fine, but he was afraid because he hasn’t used the wrist for a while that he said it’s vulnerable to breaking.”
Several other Muskies were held out of Friday’s game because it had no significance in the standings, notably lineman Jimmy Whitburn, who should be back for this Friday’s quarter-final showdown against with the Fighting Gophers.
The news isn’t quite so rosy for a pair of impact players, however.
Lineman Tyler Romyn (the Player of the Week for Week 3) and receiver Blake Wepruk have not been cleared to play, and will be re-assessed as the week goes on.
Defensive stalwart Justin Perreault broke a thumb when he fell awkwardly during Friday’s game, but Gouin said the doctors expected it to be a playable injury and he shouldn’t miss any time.
Fort High ended up finishing sixth in the eight-team Kas Vidruk Division and now will face Garden City (5-2) in Winnipeg on Friday at 3 p.m. The Muskies suffered a 30-21 defeat at the hands of the Fighting Gophers back in Week 1.
“I think we can move the ball on them, their defence hasn’t stopped anyone really,” Gouin insisted.
“They give up enough to put pressure on [our] offence to score more points than [we] give up, but we’ll have to play a ball-controlled game against them and limit the amount of time their offence gets the ball,” he added.
“Our defence has to play hard again and have another great game, and the offence just has to put together drives and get it in the end zone for points.”
The Fighting Gophers play a spread offence and throw deep early and often—something that haunted the Muskies in their season-opener. Garden City quarterback Ryan Ozunko connected for 178 yards passing and three touchdowns in that game.
The Muskies will have to limit his time in the pocket if they hope to pull off an upset.
Gouin also said the Gophers’ running back is quick and agile, and returns kicks on special teams, so he’s one guy the black-and-gold will be keying in on, as well.
“I think the boys will be ready,” Gouin remarked. “We’re going to prep them for that spread offence, and on offence it’s just [about] maintaining drives.”
