Vikings' coach Mike Humenny talks with his team following practice earlier this week, in preparation for the provincial semis. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Rivalry reignited

NBCHS Vikings ready for old foe in provincial semi-finals

Nov 4, 2023 | 8:00 AM

Fresh off a 35-21 victory last weekend over P.A. St. Mary to clinch the inaugural North Sask Football League (NSFL) championship, the North Battleford Comprehensive High School (NBCHS) Vikings return to action this afternoon in Saskatoon, for their provincial semi-final against Saskatoon’s Aden Bowman Collegiate.

A familiar foe, the Aden Bowman Bears are the team that ended the Vikings’ season each of the last two years, when NBCHS was competing in the SSSAD (Saskatoon Secondary Schools Athletic Directorate) 5A ranks. It’s something not lost on the veteran members of the North Battleford team this year, now with a chance to answer back in their senior year.

“We want to make those guys pay as they’ve put us out the last two years and I want to go out on a good note senior year,” Grade 12 running back, Quaid Watson said. “I had never won a playoff game in my high school career [prior to this year], so it feels good already, but I’m not done yet, I’m still hungry.”

Playing an undefeated Aden Bowman team fresh off a 41-14 win over Bishop James Mahoney in the Saskatoon city final, Vikings’ offensive tackle, Huntur Johnson said the key to finding success Saturday will be trusting the process and playing ‘Vikings football.’

“We’ve just got to keep doing what we’ve been doing all year,” Johnson said. “The weather’s going to play a factor if it’s cold, [but] we’ve just got to keep hitting and not give up. From the start of the year we came out and worked hard in practice, and it’s definitely payed off throughout the season.”

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Kickoff for Saturday’s provincial semi-final will be at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon’s SMF Field. The winner will advance to the 5A provincial final next Saturday, Nov. 11 against the winner of the other semi-final matchup, between the Weyburn Eagles and Greenall Griffins from Balgonie.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1