A cold, rainy day set the stage for two very heated varsity football playoff games.
The early matchup saw the Pauline Johnson Thunderbirds travel to Caledonia to face the McKinnon Park Blue Devils. The Thunderbirds jumped out to an early lead, but the hometown Blue Devils battled back to take a 17–13 victory.
In the afternoon, the Waterford Wolves faced the undefeated Delhi Raiders in a David-versus-Goliath showdown. The two teams had met in the Pumpkin Bowl, where the Raiders dominated 63–20. This time, conditions were very different—cold, wet, and muddy. Families and friends huddled under umbrellas. Coaches from Guelph and McMaster were spotted huddled in the rain and scouting talent.
Delhi scored first, but Waterford’s defense came out fierce, swarming the ball and containing the Raiders’ offense. Bad snaps and miscues plagued Delhi, while Wolves quarterback Marcus Mudge (#19) found his rhythm in the second half. A late surge and a safety sealed a stunning 15–4 upset.
An emotional Coach Miller praised his team post-game. The Wolves surrounded their coach for a group hug that warmed the cold crowd. Miller then praised his players for their hard work and determination.
After the post-game huddle, quarterback Marcus Mudge shared his thoughts before boarding the team bus.
When asked about the difference between the Pumpkin Bowl loss and this game, he said this:
The AABHN varsity football final will be held Saturday, November 15th at 1:00 p.m. at McKinnon Park in Caledonia.
Written by Jeremy Hall
