Quarterback Hunter Barnstable and running back Keegan Barnstable have formed a dynamic duo for the Vikings all season, and are coming off a strong performance last weekend in the provincial quarter-final. (submitted photo/Vivian Walls)

By Martin Martinson

This weekend in Hafford

Hafford Vikings surge into semi-final matchup with Cupar

Nov 1, 2023 | 2:58 PM

Coming off a commanding 76-16 victory over Hanley to open the playoffs last weekend, the Hafford Vikings now have their sights set on their return to action this Saturday, as hosts of their semi-final matchup with the Cupar Wildcats.

While the Vikings’ end result in the quarter-final may appear as a walk, the win wasn’t without overcoming adversity. Down 16-6 at one point early in the game, the team battled back to take a 54-16 lead by the half, thanks to a determined effort.

Head coach of the Vikings, Ryan Barnstable said leaning on their experience played a key role in the team keeping their composure and focus on the task at hand.

“I think just calming down and knowing the boys had been in that position a couple of times this year, where we’ve had some slower starts but have been able to get it together and battle back, was big for us,” he said. “We were able to refocus and come out and do what we’re capable of.”

It’s only fitting then, that leading the way in the comeback were the Vikings’ lone pair of seniors in quarterback Hunter Barnstable and receiver Koen Cherwinski, who connected for a pair of touchdowns to get the team back on track and in the driver’s seat.

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“We expect our Grade 12s to make big plays when we need it, and they did that. They stepped up and made some big plays and that kind of got the ball rolling offensively,” the coach said.

On the other side of the ball, linebacker Carter Prystupa had a strong game knocking down a number of passes and making some key tackles, while defensive end Ethan Mix made an immediate impact in his high school football debut with the team, after missing the lions share of the last two years following shoulder surgery, providing a boost with his return.

“We don’t have a large roster so when we can get contributions from our young guys it makes a huge difference, and we have some real strong ones this year,” Barnstable said. He added fellow youth such as Grade 9 running back/defensive back Keegan Barnstable (who scored a pair of touchdowns), and Grade 10 linebackers Ty Mix and Talon Cheney also played a key role in the team’s success.

The Vikings will need another strong performance throughout the lineup this weekend, against a Cupar team coming in hot off a 45-14 quarter-final victory over St. Brieux.

Barnstable said heading into Saturday’s matchup, his team will need to be at their best, with attention to detail, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.

“[Cupar] look like they’re really athletic and play a lot of zone defence – which we don’t often see – so I think we just have to execute really well on offence and then on defence just keep getting better,” he said. “We’ve been working really hard on our defence the last couple of weeks, just with our tackling, keeping leverage, and working together and trusting our teammates and that’s going to be a real key going forward.”

Kickoff for Saturday’s game between the Vikings and Wildcats will be at 1 p.m. at Hafford Central School.

The winner of Saturday’s game will advance to the league final next weekend against the winner of the other semi-final matchup, between Lemberg (Conference 2) and Carrot River (Conference 3), in the six-aside SHSAA provincial final next Saturday, Nov. 11.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1