A remarkable 128 teams challenged for 28 championships in our first Winter season back since the pandemic began! If you are a fan of offence, championship weekend had it in spades. A record number of teams scored over 50 points in their games, and the average final score was the highest in PIT Football history! Seems that the pandemic couldn’t stop the offences any more than the defences could on this day.
WHSFL Flag Division 1
Vincent Massey Trojans (Green) 32 Vincent Massey Trojans (Black) 13
An all-Vincent Massey final meant the Division 1 championship belt was guaranteed to go back to the school for the fifth consecutive year.
The VMC Green team not only avenged their only loss of the season but prevented their cross-campus rivals from finishing the season undefeated.
Brady Fay had three touchdown passes for VMC Green, whose offence was augmented by multiple interception returns for touchdowns. VMC Black was led by Chris Piotrowski who scored a touchdown and had multiple great grabs throughout the game, however it wasn’t enough to stop the underdogs!
WHSFL Flag Division 2
Vincent Massey Trojans 38 Grant Park Ravens 18
Vincent Massey captured the second division high school flag title against a very good squad from Grant Park.
Karst Gruener threw dimes all night, while Lekan Oyeleye had two touchdowns, a convert, and threw a relief touchdown pass for VMC. Grant Park star Scott Sisson had three touchdown passes, two to Brock Greaves, who also added an interception.
The high school flag league was loaded with talent, and it was on full display in this game and throughout the season!
WHSFL Flag Division 3
Maples Marauders 32 Vincent Massey Trojans 7
The Maples Marauders football team won their first flag football championship and prevented Vincent Massey from the clean sweep of flag titles.
Kenon Haines had twenty points for the Marauders, while Soloman Sitar had three interceptions to limit the Trojans opportunities on offence. Zach Wong was a beast on defence for Vincent Massey, amassing three sacks and an interception.
However, the Marauders offence — led by the four touchdown passes of Marcus De Sousa — was just too much on this day!
Co-ed Division 1
Assassin Legends 52 Murder Hornets 41
The highest scoring game of the night pitted the veterans versus the relative newcomers to the coed division, with the veterans coming out on top in a shootout.
Almost every possession ended in a score as quarterbacks Tim Shea and Dillon Clarke combined for 13 touchdown passes between them. With that many points scored you know there were some receivers having a field day. Austin Favell of the Murder Hornets had 26 points, while Kristin Robson put away 21 for the Legends.
If you are a fan of offence, this game featured just about every way to score!
Co-ed Division 2
FSP 26 Down to Football 25
Another coed game featuring the veterans against the newcomers.
In this matchup the youngest team in the second division of coed was able to squeak out victory. FSP is comprised mostly of former U18 Provincial flag players from both the men’s and women’s teams, and they have a future that is incredibly bright!
Carter Kutzan threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more in the victory, while current collegiate provincial flag player Jessica Similar scored all 25 points for Down to Football.
Quite a few links to the provincial flag program in this game on both sides of the ball!
Co-Ed Division 3
Looking to Score 51 Flea Flickers 32
Looking to Score was looking to score for most of the season, racking up only a single victory during the regular season.
However, in the playoffs Looking to Score stopped looking and started scoring — including a season high 51 points in the final.
The Flea Flickers were led by the five touchdown passes of Michael Klassen. He was outdueled on this day by Jean-Guy Mercier, who threw five touchdown passes of his own, adding in an interception, a convert, and two touchdowns to salvage the season in style.
Co-Ed Division 4
Here for the Beer 22 Bikini Bottom Barnacles 0
First-year team the Bikini Bottom Barnacles stunned the coed division by knocking off the heavily-favoured top seed in the semi-final game as they played a near perfect game!
However, it is hard to play near-perfect every week.
Steven Bleue threw three touchdown passes, while Kene Nnadi — who just a few short weeks ago had both of his ankles removed by Raza Butt — got the game MVP nod. Miraculously, Kene came back to not only play with no ankles, but rack up four sacks in the victory.
Future star, Juanita Almonacid Segura had two interceptions for the Barnacles, another team with a very bright future in the league!
Co-Ed Division 5
Nacho-Dillos 27 Birds of Prey 14
These two teams also met in the Fall championship game, with the Birds of Prey preying on the Dillos to win their first PIT Football championship.
Early on it looked like the Birds would capture their second straight championship as rusher Hannah Murdy preyed on the Nacho’s quarterback all night, notching two sacks and a safety in the process and earning the game MVP.
However, in this rematch, the Nacho-Dillos came out on top after a slow start, winning their first PIT Football championship in the process. The Birds of Prey had a chance to win the game at the end. However, as they drove the field, Cara Isaak took an interception to the house to seal victory for the Dillos!
Division 1
Peg City Evolution 33 Rebellion 19
Peg City won their second straight Division 1 championship, begging the question: is there perhaps a new dynasty shaping up?
The youngest team in the division was led by the five touchdown passes of Garrison Trinder, two each to Andrew Ricard and game MVP Drew Hawkins. Rebellion was led by Cam Penner who scored 12 of his team’s points and added an interception on defence.
The rivalry between Peg City and Rebellion has intensified as these two teams have played in two of the last three Division 1 championship games.
Will they make it three out of the last four in the Spring season?
Division 2
Eric Dickersons 26 Guild of Calamitous Intent 25
Injuries and attrition to both teams meant that Guild and the former Rams great limped their way into the finals. Despite the shortened benches, the teams put up a barnburner.
The homage to the Hall of Fame running back came out of the game strong, building a commanding lead in the process. However, the veteran Guild squad battled back throughout the game and had momentum on their side.
The game would be decided on the final drive with the Dickerson defence coming up big on the final play of the game stopping the Guild just short of the goal line.
Division 3
Big Baller Brand 22 Hanging with Hernandez 19 (overtime)
Big Baller Brand and Hanging with Hernandez’s regular season game went to overtime, and it took an OBJ-esque catch by Josh Frey-Sam to finally break the tie and give Big Baller the victory.
An almost identical game played out in the championship final, with the game destined for overtime. However, this time it was Big Baller’s Justin Stewart with an incredible shoestring catch to seal victory.
These two teams have completely contrasting styles of play and when they compete against each other and it is fun to watch the game come down to the wire every time they play.
Division 4
Filthy Few 32 Kings 19
The Filthy Few won their second consecutive championship, but it wasn’t easy!
In the semifinals, the Filthy ones were in their own end on the final play of the game, launching a Hail Mary which was answered to tie the game before ultimately winning in overtime.
In the championship final, the game was closely contested, when on the final play of the first half quarterback Danny Harris eluded a double rush to send another hail Mary into the end zone for another touchdown!
That seemed to turn the momentum of the game and Filthy Few become one of the very few to win back-to-back ‘ships on back-to-back hail Mary’s.
Division 5
Young Guns 24 Blackout 20
It has been a while since we have had the Young Guns in the winner circle!
The Young Guns played a near-perfect game against the favoured Blackout, holding their high-powered offence to just twenty points. Jeromy Stril had three interceptions as the Young Guns defence was jumping every read.
Game MVP Devano Cascegna saved his best game of the season for last, throwing four touchdown passes to four different receivers. Sam Ewankiw did his best to pace Blackout with a game high four sacks, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Young Guns from claiming the third franchise championship trophy.
Division 6
Down to Football 45 Awesome Luck 25
The Down to Football franchise has taken the PIT by storm, and they made it to three different championships in the winter — winning two in dominating fashion.
Down to Football started the season 0-2, but it is not how you start, its how you finish! The second loss would be their last, as they went undefeated for the remainder of the season scoring 105 points in their two playoff games, with three different players scoring at least two touchdowns in the final.
Awesome Luck had no luck on this day despite Liam Collier’s 18 points and two interceptions in the defeat.
Division 7
Senior Sabres 52 Gym Class Heroes 40
Another high-scoring affair as the Senior Sabres made the trip from Steinbach to play the villain role to the Gym Class Heroes.
Neither team had much luck on the defensive side of the ball as both quarterbacks were dropping bombs. The difference in this one was the sheer size of the Sabres who repeatedly ‘Moss-ed’ their smaller counterparts.
This was the best division in football as all playoff bound teams had identical regular season records. Fitting that the championship final was also one of the best.
It would be great just to put this division back together for Spring and have these teams duke it out once again.
Division 8
Vincent Massey Trojans Seniors 24 North Bay Panthers 16
The youngest team in the adult division shocked Division 8 by knocking off the top two teams after having a regular season with just one win and getting into the playoffs on a tiebreaker!
These seniors from Vincent Massey disregarded the pundits’ predictions and played textbook football to win the title.
With graduating seniors recruited to play in various universities next year, we may not see this team back for a while, but what a great way to end their Vincent Massey careers — first by winning the WHSFL Division 1 title, and then coming in and knocking off some very good touch football teams to cap their year.
Division 9
Down 4 Football 46 Red Rockets 39
Down to Football Put up 45 points in their first game and their sister team Down 4 Football put up 46 points in the second! Pretty consistent.
After throwing only 19 touchdown passes all season, DTF QB Jordan Demerchant threw 11 in the playoffs alone! Mike Clark and Amrit Warha were on the receiving end of four of those in the championship final.
Red Rocket quarterback Danny Harris couldn’t make it two championships on the night, despite throwing for five touchdowns and over 100 yards rushing. Both offences were in high gear, with the two teams combining for zero sacks and zero interceptions in this game!
Division 10
Flying Squirrels 38 North Bay 20
The Flying Squirrels flew their way to victory on the back of Ben Lazaruk’s three touchdown receptions and three sacks.
Ben kept the ever-elusive North Bay quarterback Raza Butt in check all game, which helped the defence make some key stops. Provincial women’s team receiver Ramey Goetz had two touchdowns, including the game winner.
North Bay was led by Winter league MVP Ken Hardman, who had two touchdowns and two interceptions. While the Flying Squirrels may have won on the field, North Bay exterminated the Squirrels in the lounge post-game!
Division 11
Avengers 44 Smells Like Team Spirit 13
There was no End Game for the Avengers as they went wire to wire in Division 11, finishing with the championship and the undefeated season!
The brothers Loewen captured their second-consecutive championship in style, combining for five touchdowns, three interceptions, and seven points. First year quarterback Rob Noel led Team Spirit to the finals, and while he couldn’t pull the upset over the heavily favoured Avengers, it was a successful first year at the helm!
This team has lots of talent, if they stick together, they will be taking home the trophy soon enough.
Division 12
Cannonball 26 Gutshots 19
Cannonball was just a quarterback short of greatness, and they may have found their QB of the future with the signing of Ryan Hassar.
Ryan led the team to an undefeated season in his first year at the helm. His combination of running and throwing kept the Gutshots off balance for most of the championship final.
Gutshots QB Neil Walton kept his team in the game, throwing for three touchdowns and playing some stellar defence but there was too much veteran savvy on the Cannonball roster to complete the upset.
Division 13
Gotham Knights 31 Wickermen 18
Gotham Knights only made it to the final because of some late-night lasagna shenanigans in the semi-finals, but they made their second chance count!
The Gotham defence combined for six interceptions, while PIT Football’s all-time sack leader Brady Pauls added another three to his resume.
The Wickermen fell a little short on this day, but that shouldn’t detract from perhaps the greatest comeback in indoor touch football history which occurred in their semi-final game. Down 19 points with only minutes remaining, the Wickermen drove for three quick touchdowns, scoring the winning touchdown on the final play of the game. Just an incredible way to punch their ticket to the finals.
Division 14
Below Average Joes 20 Post Dig Picks Route 18
Below Average Joes knocked off Post Dig Picks Route in a nail biter that came down to the final play.
PDPR were driving for the win, however a goal-line stand by the Joes on the final play kept the lead and the victory intact. A curious fake punt attempt that ultimately turned the ball over at the Joes 10-yard line late in the game could have been the difference in this one as PDPR capitalized to take the lead.
However, Okanagan Suns QB Nik Hasselfield powered the Joes to victory with four sacks and three touchdowns passes, including marching his team down to take the lead after the aforementioned punt fiasco.
Division 15
Saggy Balls 50 I.R. 6
The Saggy ones led the league in scoring, averaging 42.8 points per game during the regular season. They kept that pace up, averaging another 41.5 points per game during the playoffs, including a 50-spot in the finals.
Connor Stewart threw seven touchdowns passes, amazingly to six different receivers!
James Bruin had four sacks for the I.R., a very respectable performance against one of the fastest quarterbacks in the league. Unfortunately, the I.R. were put on I.R. as the latest victim of the ball juggernaut, who will be moving up divisions come the Spring season!
Division 16
Super Old School 27 Mayhem 18
Super Old School completed the undefeated season, even though their quarterback was throwing with a bad back injury – probably the worst injury to have if you are throwing!
Despite the injury, Bryce McDonald threw four touchdown passes which was just enough to knock off a game Mayhem team. Mayhem was led by Jordan Duguay’s three touchdown passes and a running score.
Super Old School used their basketball background to make some impressive plays. If these guys wanted to play some more football, we are sure they would be shooting up the divisions with more experience.
Division 17
Jersey Bois 51 Back That Pass Up 0
The bottom two seeds in the division both pulled some amazing playoff upsets to get them into the championship games.
Unfortunately for Back that Pass Up, the magic was over quickly as the Jersey Bois scored early and often in the final. The Jersey Bois hadn’t scored more than 27 points in a game all season and nearly doubled that when it counted.
Silas Trachilis through six touchdowns to six different receivers as Back that Pass Up had no answers defensively or offensively. David Smoley kept BTPU from getting completely blanked on the stat sheet with a nice interception, however that was the only bright spot for his team on this day.
Division 18
Stone Cold Killas 25 One Boubon, One Scotch, and One Beer 12
With a coup offseason signing of Division 5 QB Nathan Leito, it was a foregone conclusion that One Bourbon would win the Division 18 title. Or was it?
We aren’t sure if it was the Bourbon, the Scotch, or the Beer (or the combination of the three) but they just couldn’t get their games going against a very motivated Stone Cold Killas.
The Killas were led by the three touchdown passes of Nolan Jackson and the two TD receptions by Ariel Duran in a game that they led from start to finish.
This is why we play the games and don’t rely on the Madden simulations!
Redemption Bowl I
Midnight Club 28 Bleue’s Clueless 12
Midnight Club ran the Winter gauntlet winning their semi-final and championship final games back-to-back and did so while playing ironman!
First, Midnight Club knocked off Bishop Sycamore 39-37 in one of the best games of the night. Midnight Club then proceeded to knock off the well-rested top seed to take home the championship belt.
Justin Scott was named MVP for both games, combining for 18 points, two sacks, and three touchdown passes along the way!
Redemption Bowl II
Free Agents 30 Dusters 6
Each year we offer teams a chance a redemption if their seasons did not exceed their expectations.
This season we had our Free Agent team face off against the first-year team, the Dusters. Quinn Adolfson led the Free Agents to victory, throwing for three touchdowns, running in a score, and picking off a pass on defence.
The Dusters were led by Tyler Smith who threw their lone touchdown pass and intercepting two errant passes on defence. Two teams that epitomize sportsmanship were well deserving of a chance at redemption!
The PIT Football league is the official touch football league of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. PIT Football would like to congratulate the Winnipeg Football Club on bringing the Grey Cup back to Winnipeg and for helping us grow the game of touch football in the province!
Check out some of the highlights from championship night here. Registration information for the summer league will be posted soon at: www.pitfootball.com. Coed and men’s divisions available. We are Canada’s largest touch and flag football league. All skill levels welcome!
