The Bear Creek Kodiaks senior football team headed home to Barrie on Monday without the Simcoe Bowl crown after losing to Oshawa’s Holy Trinity in a close provincial battle.
The Kodiaks took their undefeated record to the University of Guelph yesterday as teams from across Ontario played on the first day of the Football Bowls Festival, which runs until Wednesday.
The Kodiaks lost, 26-24, in a nail-biter that Bear Creek head coach Keith Jackson said came down to the last few seconds.
“We took the lead with 30 seconds left in the game and unfortunately they had a great kick return and ended up kicking a field goal with five seconds left,” Jackson told BarrieToday.
Bear Creek got scores from rookie quarterback Justin Cunningham (one touchdown) and the rest from their usual star, roving position player Elliot Barber, who had two touchdowns, three converts and a field goal.
The coach said despite the loss, he was proud of his team.
“To be at OFSSA and in the game, only to be decided with five seconds left, that's just great football. I have been fortunate enough to coach these guys since Grade 9 and couldn't be prouder of the young men they have turned out to be,” Jackson said. "Does it suck losing? Sure, but the character and grit they showed while mentoring their younger teammates is immeasurable.”
Jackson’s team was made up of veteran players who were being scouted for the next phase of their football life.
“Strong programs depend on strong leadership and we had no shortage of leaders this year," he said. "With lots of interest from university scouts, I'm excited to see some of these guys play at the next level.
“All in all, it was a proud Kodiak day."
