Griener punches SRSS Sabres into win column

Fans who made the trip to Winnipeg to see the Steinbach Regional Secondary School Sabres play Vincent Massey Sept. 19 were rewarded for their passion, as Josiah Griener punched in a go ahead touchdown for the “home” team with under 20 seconds to go to give the Sabres a 35-28 victory.

The game was set to be played in Steinbach, before last week’s intense storm caused the city to deem the field at A.D. Penner Park unplayable. The game was instead played at Fort Garry Field, Vincent Massey’s home grounds.

Steinbach’s offense had been stalled for most of the second half, as a Toby Plett interception was returned for a touchdown to give the Trojans a 28-21 lead with under five minutes to go. Steinbach’s only score of the half up to that point had been after a fumble recovery during a punt.

With the pressure on, Plett bounced back to lead his best drive of the day, moving the ball quickly and effeciently down the field. The game was tied on a Tyson Hruda catch, as the receiver rose above the defensive back to catch a back shoulder throw before falling backwards into the end zone.

Hruda was Plett’s favourite target on the day, catching 6 of the quarterback’s 10 completions for 185 yards and two touchdowns. His first half touchdown was outstanding as well, as the receiver caught the ball despite getting interfered with by a Vincent Massey defender.

Steinbach’s defense stood strong after the game was tied, and the winning drive saw Griener take centre stage. Steinbach’s running back finished with nearly 200 yards on the ground and two touchdowns on 25 carries.

Nigel Reader led the way for Steinbach on defense, posting 9 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

Despite taking the lead with under 20 seconds left in the game, the Trojans made it interesting, pushing the ball inside the 10 yard line during the final play of the game, before a forward lateral extinguished any hope of a victory.

The Sabres appeared in control after 24 minutes, as they were up 14-7 and had not allowed a touchdown outside of Vincent Massey’s second drive of the day. All that changed after the half-time break.

The Trojans took their opening drive to the endzone, before forcing a fumble on the ensuing kick-off and promptly scoring again.

Steinbach’s varsity team is back in Winnipeg next week, taking on Kildonan East on Sept. 27 underneath the lights.

Oakbank’s Springfield Sabres are 3-0 on the season in the North East Conference. Springfield defeated the Miles Mac Buckeyes 43-14 Sept. 20.

They face the Grant Park Pirates in Oakbank Sept. 26 with kickoff at 5 p.m.

JV Sabres move to 2-0

The Junior Varsity Sabres squad also had their home game moved last week, and were also able to come away with a win in Winnipeg.

They shut out the River East Kodiaks 28-0, taking a 14-0 lead in the first half on a pair of Arkin Pardon touchdown passes.

Steinbach’s secondary feasted as their defensive line generated pressure regularly. The team finished with five interceptions on the night, including when Gian Harder returned one of his three back for six late in the game. Cruz Greenham picked off two balls of his own.

The junior varsity Sabres have a bye next week in the Winnipeg High School Football League’s 9-player division.