The coach of the Centennial Coyotes had a pretty good look at the two teams that will square off in the Tier II provincial football final.
Garth Melrose’s Coyotes were the lone team to play both the Foothills Falcons and Grande Prairie’s St. Joseph Celtic, who will meet this weekend in Edmonton for the provincial title.
The Coyotes lost 20-13 to St. Joe’s on Sept. 5. The Falcons eked out a last-minute 30-25 victory in a howling wind on Oct. 2.
“Both games against St. Joe’s and Foothills were very close games for us,” Melrose said. “Both games ended with a point differential of one score.”
The Celtic squad will look awfully familiar to the Falcons by the end of the game.
“St. Joe’s has a few players that go two-ways that match up with the best Alberta has to offer in any tier,” said Melrose, who coaches a Tier I team that lost in the semifinals last weekend. “For example, their middle linebacker is also their top receiver.”
However, it’s not like Foothills doesn’t have an arsenal they can throw at the Celtics.
“Foothills has weapons on offence that will be tough for St. Joe’s to handle,” Melrose said. “(Quarterback) Trey Kellogg and (runningack) Landon Rose are a great combo.”
Kellogg was named the Big Rock Football Conference MVP. Rose, selected the conference running back of the year, has missed the Falcons’ three-game playoff run due to an injury. He is questionable for the final as the Western Wheel went to press.
Although the offensive guys get all the headlines, it’s the big boys on defence who could make the difference.
“Foothills’ defence may be their strength going into this one,” Melrose said. “St. Joe’s also has a few DB’s (safety in particular) that will handle the Foothills receivers… but can they stop Trey when he scrambles and attempts the big play?”
However, the schedule might be the determining factor. Other than the Coyotes, the Celtic have led a charmed life on the calendar.
“The big difference with these two teams is Foothills has been in some battles this year,” Melrose said. “Playing tight games and even losing a game to Rundle has made Foothills a very resilient group. St. Joe’s has had no competition all year and has easily won games. Other than their game versus Centennial, I don’t think anyone has come close to them.”
The Celtics go into the game as defending champions, ranked no. 1 and are undefeated at 15-0. The Falcons are ranked no. 4 and have a 9-2 record.
Falcons coach Darren Olson said his squad will have to be at their best.
“They are defending provincial champs and they run a spread offence just like we do,” Olson said. “Their quarterback (Alexander Noel) was a Team Alberta guy and they also have a stud running back just like we do.
“We have to be ready to play our best game of the year.”
The Falcons might have an edge in the kicking department. Seth Nelson hasn’t missed a convert all year and is nine for 10 in field goals.
“He’s played unbelievable for us,” said Olson, adding centre Liam Hamlyn, holder Kellogg and the o-line have been spot on this season.
St. Joe’s will be a totally different battle than what the Falcons faced in their 45-0 victory over the Hunting Hills Lightning in the Southern Alberta final Saturday in Red Deer.
“It will be the polar opposite of what we faced last week,” said Falcons defensive co-ordinator Nathan St. Dennis. “They will throw the ball more and spread it out — which is good because we have a lot of confidence in our secondary.”
Saturday’s weather in Edmonton is supposed to be sunny with a high of 4 Celsius. Kick-off is 2:30 p.m. at Foote Field. For more information go to footballalberta.ab.ca
