It wasn’t quite another OFSAA title, but for now it will have to do.
The defending Champion South Lions senior football team won the Big Old Board after crushing Saunders 51-0 on Friday. The Big Old Board is the latest addition to an old Lions vs Sabres rivalry and raises the stakes when the two teams meet on the grid-iron.
“Legend is that the custodians of both schools met at the lumber yard after a flood and there was one board left. They decided that whoever won the upcoming big game would win the board and use it to fix their school” said Lions head coach Mike Stenning, when asked why this win in particular meant something more to his team.
Stenning and his coaching staff created the make-shift trophy this week and the team bought in on the idea of competing for it in front of a home crowd on a sunny Friday afternoon. The concept even hit social media as #bigoldboard took on a life of its own.
South scored early and often in this contest.
Quarterback Ethan Martin began the onslaught with a rushing touchdown of over 50 yards. That was their first offensive play of the game. “It gives our whole team momentum, we like to put it out there on the first play and try to get in endzone and then take it from there” said Martin on how the hot start set the tone for a big win.
He would go on to score again in the 3rd quarter. This time with his arm, finding wide receiver Cole Wilkinson for a touchdown.
South running back Richard Morris had a big day on the ground, rushing for 2 touchdowns and often needing multiple Sabres’ defenders to bring him down.
The Lions defense also contributed to the scoreboard. Wilkinson returned an interception for a touchdown early in the 1st quarter and then the dominant unit added a safety before halftime.
South hopes to keep the rivalry with Saunders alive and always put on a show when the Big Old Board is on the line. The win sees their record improve to 5-0, while Saunders evens theirs at 2-2.
