Steinbach Regional Sabres ground game too much for Garden City

Thanks to a dominant running game, the Steinbach Regional Secondary School Sabres are one win away from returning to the top tier of the playoffs in the Winnipeg High School Football League.

The Sabres rolled right over the Garden City Gophers at A.D. Penner Park Oct. 10, to the tune of a 60-20 victory.

On an unusually warm fall afternoon, Steinbach’s offensive line looked unbeatable, with the team racking up more than 300 yards in the victory.

Josiah Griener continued his outstanding season, breaking the 900 yard mark on the year while scoring five touchdowns.

He finished with 282 yards on 22 carries, while Wade Anderson added 70 more yards on just three carries. Grenier sits with 940 rushing yards so far this season.

Quarterback Toby Plett chipped in with a pair of 25-plus touchdown throws. Judah Wohlegmuth found the end-zone as a defensive player, taking an overthrown slant route back to the end zone after a 60 yard return.

Steinbach’s 4-2 record has them tied for second in the South East Conference, with their final game of the season against the 3-3 Sturgeon Heights Huskies in Winnipeg Oct. 18.

A victory would secure a playoff spot for the Sabres in the top tier of the playoffs for the second consecutive year. The Sabres could finish as high as fifth place in the seeding if results on the final weekend of play go their way, but a loss would see them out of the top bracket.

The Springfield Sabres will also be battling for a top tier playoff spot, playing the River East Kodiaks in Oakbank Oct. 18. Springfield came up short against the undefeated Oak Park Raiders Oct. 11, losing 56-0.

The Sabres have a 4-2 record, with the Kodiaks one game behind at 3-3, so the North East Conference title will be on the line when the two teams play.

The junior varsity SRSS team lost their first game of the season against Miles Mac in the 9-player division Oct. 15. Miles Mac and Steinbach were the only two undefeated teams in the division before they played.