ESTEVAN - The Estevan Comprehensive School (ECS) Elecs football team recorded a first on Friday night in their home game against the Moose Jaw Vanier Vikings.
The Elecs battled Vanier to a 12-12 tie at the Dana Quewezance Memorial Field at Woodlawn Athletic Park. Not only was it their first draw in the 13-year history of the program, but it appears to be the first overtime deadlock in the history of the Moose Jaw High School Football League.
Ironically, the previous overtime game in the league also featured ECS, when they were defeated by Moose Jaw Central in 2014.
Elecs head coach Mark Schott said the Elecs were strong defensively on Friday. The Vikings enjoyed some success with their quarterback running the ball in the second half, but the Elecs defence was in their face throughout the game.
“We had an interception, a fumble recovery, a lot of sacks and tackles for losses, a blocked punt. Our defence played a really strong game,” said Schott.
Estevan made huge stops late in the fourth quarter and in overtime to force turnovers when Vanier was deep in Estevan territory and threatening to score.
Offensively, the Elecs still have a long way to go, but they had 238 yards of offence and 12 first downs. They had some success rushing the ball, but would like to get more, and they were able to connect on some passes and made plays when they had to.
“We needed to score, and our offence came through for us,” said Schott.
ECS scored in overtime to lead 12-6, but couldn’t convert on the required two-point convert to lead by eight. Moose Jaw then scored to tie the game.
Tristen Tober connected with Dorian Sifton for two touchdown receptions for Estevan, one coming with four minutes to play in the fourth quarter when Estevan was down 6-0, and the other in overtime to give the Elecs the temporary lead.
Schott noted that Tober and Sifton are both Grade 9 students from Oxbow.
When the game was tied at 6-6 after the end of the fourth quarter, the game was declared to be finished by the officials, and people were packing up and heading home. But since the Elecs had played in overtime seven years ago, Schott knew extra time was needed.
“I had to find the rule on my phone and show it to the officials that there is indeed overtime in the regular season, and once we were able to find that, we proceeded with the overtime.”
Some people who left the field turned around in their vehicles to drive back, and those that did caught an exciting overtime period, Schott said.
“Now everybody knows. So if it happens again, please stay,” Schott said with a laugh.
Estevan will visit the Moose Jaw Peacock Toilers on Oct. 9 in Moose Jaw.
