Selwyn House Bantams win GMAA football title

Selwyn House Gryphons won their first GMAA Bantam Football Championship in six years by a score of 15-6 in a closely contested and well-played game against Lower Canada College on October 28.

LCC had defeated Kuper Academy 19-6 to make it to the finals. The Gryphons, who had been averaging 28 points per game in their first undefeated season in 15 years, made it to the championships by defeating Loyola 39-6.

The weather for the final game was nasty. A large and dedicated crowd braved the elements to support the two teams on the rain-soaked field at Westmount High School, where conditions couldn’t have been worse. The mud was ankle deep and slippery.

Both teams had to adjust to the elements, and the Gryphons were a very skilled group of players with many offensive weapons.

Lower Canada scored first on a sensational 75-yard pass-and-run play. Selwyn House countered almost immediately by driving the ball the length of the field. The power running of Michael Aziz, Charles Chan, Oliver Maurovich and Jack Melkerson slowly wore down the LCC defence and Selwyn House scored on a Maurovich six-yard run to tie the score. Josh Hanek added the point and Selwyn led 7-6 at halftime.

During the second half, poor weather led to a series of turnovers. Selwyn House finally capitalized on a missed LCC punt and scored. Josh Hanek made his conversion and Selwyn House led 14-6.

“The fourth quarter was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my 23-year coaching career,” says Selwyn House Head Coach Steve Mitchell. “Our boys took full possession of the ball, running straight up the middle of the field for four consecutive first downs. Quarterback Karl Schroeder was simply outstanding, calling the smart plays and running down the clock. At the LCC 15-yard line, on the fourth down, Karl punted for a single point, making it virtually impossible for LCC to come back.”