A little over a year ago, the Humboldt Collegiate Institute (HCI) Mohawks nine-man football team had to watch a celebration on their field by an opponent that would play for a provincial championship.
That didn't sit well with the players and coaches.
On Saturday, November 13, in Delisle, Saskatchewan, some key players from that 2009 team delivered redemption for the program with a 37-7 victory which earned them the provincial title that eluded their grasp last year.
"It's hard to believe. This feels unbelievable," said HCI quarterback Jordan Gerwing, who was one of those players.
Gerwing scored twice, with a 24-yard bootleg in the second quarter and a two-yard sneak in the third. The latter touchdown extended HCI's lead to 29-7.
"We just tried to hit it right at them and be physical. The offensive line deserves a lot of credit for the win. They're all Grade 11s," Gerwing said.
While it was a total team effort, HCI's kicking and quarterback coach Mike Suchan praised the affable quarterback.
"Gerwing called nearly all the offensive plays today. He gave us great leadership and it rubbed off on everyone else."
The Mohawk defence got some sure tackling and the occasional crushing hit on Saturday's slick track.
With the score 8-7, the Rebels had a first and goal from the four-yard line. HCI's Dillon Buckle and Ty Hering had solo tackles on the first two downs, prompting their coach, Tom Schwinghamer, to declare "I am proud to say our D-line was very solid today. They did what we asked them to do."
Then Jordan Hilgers led a bevy of Mohawks to stuff Dustin Payne well short on third.
"Delisle was tough, they didn't give up," the linebacker said.
But the Rebels did give up a touchdown on the ensuing drive for a 14-point swing.
Perhaps the Mohawk with the most to prove was Ryan Stumborg. Last season, he had an uncharacteristic attack of fumble-itis in the semi-final loss. Against Delisle, he was on the other end of the turnovers as he raked in two interceptions. He bought field position on kick and punt returns, and handled the punting duties.
After the second quarter goal line stand, Stumborg broke up the left sideline for a 40-yard run to flip the field, and he set up Gerwing's touchdown plunge in the third quarter with a 20 yard scamper.
"I loved the Power Toss today!" an emotional Stumborg declared.
Though he was held out of the end zone, he was a force carrying the ball.
"Stumps was unselfish," explained HCI's offensive backs coach Dave Rowe. "He threw a lot of touchdown blocks this season."
The Delisle Rebels got their touchdown on a power run inside by Ryan Sawatsky in the first quarter.
Mohawk Josh Giddings broke a tackle at the four en route to a 10-yard jet for a 22-7 lead. HCI's Darren Henry closed out the Humboldt scoring with a six-yard major in the fourth.
After the game, HCI coach Clayton Parobec recalled fondly, "I spent a lot of time training with a lot of these kids in the off-season. It was special to hold that trophy and have a picture with them. They effort they put in was redeemed today."
Again and again, the Mohawks were the beneficiaries of team effort.
Dillon Buckle and Merit Meyer combined to strip a fumble which Meyer then returned eight yards.
Hilgers and Braden Richards combined for a crushing tackle on Jaden Wood-Sparrow.
Mohawks head coach Shaun Gardiner praised Richards' play.
"We put Braden in new a spot this week, at linebacker, and he really came through with a solid game. Leroy (Japtha) also ran the ball very well again."
He added, "This is, for our team this year, but also for our alumni who were here with us in 2003. We were out-hit that day and we felt like they rubbed our noses in it a little bit with a deep pass when the game was out of hand. We minded our manners today but we were by far the more physical team. This was fun."
