The Hafford Vikings will play for the provincial championship on their home field Saturday. (Submitted photos/Allison Wawryk)

By Martin Martinson

Going for fourth straight

Hafford Vikings to host provincial final this weekend

Nov 10, 2022 | 2:06 PM

A sports dynasty is defined as a team that exhibits dominance over the field over several years in the form of multiple championships. In 1A six-aside football, no team in the province has been more dynastic in recent years than the Hafford Vikings.

The Vikings are three-time defending provincial champs and will go for their fourth straight Saturday when the team welcomes the North Valley High Eagles to their home field— for the biggest game of the year.

Hafford is coming off a convincing 52-0 victory over the Hanley Sabers to earn their spot in the championship game this weekend, in a performance head coach Ryan Barnstable called a full team effort.

“We executed really well defensively, and the boys did what they were coached to do, and then offensively I thought we handled the weather pretty well,” he said. “It was quite windy and pretty cold, but we were still able to pass the ball efficiently, and I think that was the difference.”

Among the defining plays in that semi-finals contest was a long completion made from quarterback Hunter Barnstable to Koen Cherwinski for a gain of nearly 50 yards, along with a big play at the defensive end later in the opening quarter, when senior standout Justin Moore made an interception he converted for a touchdown.

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“I think that [interception] especially, for our third touchdown of the game, kind of sealed it right there after that pick-six,” the coach said. “And Barnstable and Cherwinski connected quite a few times with a couple of big plays early in the game as well.”

Now looking to complete the four-peat on their home field for the second straight year, Barnstable said the most important thing is staying focused on the task at hand.

“I think executing in the conditions is important, it’s going to be a slick field and we’re going to have to be really good tacklers,” Barnstable said. “I think tackling and discipline on defense are going to be keys for Saturday.”

Prior to last year’s championship win, the last time the Vikings had hosted a provincial championship game was back in 1995. Now with a chance to win their second in as many years in front of friends and family in attendance, Barnstable said it would be something special for the team and community.

“It can be a lot of work hosting, but we’ve had a lot of community people really step up and help out with getting the field cleared and bringing heaters and tarps to the field to help with the fans, so it’s been really great to see the support for the community,” he said.

Kickoff Saturday will be at 1 p.m., with admission for adults $8, Students (Gr. 7-12) $6, and children free. The game will also be available via live stream through the Living Sky School Division website.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1