The Tornadoes made a key late game stand to hold off the Central Cyclones 14-8 in Moose Jaw High School Football League play Saturday.
“We’re still a little rough around the edges, but we’re getting there,” said Peacock’s Adam Bachiu. “It was a good battle. Central played pretty good and had us scared there for a minute, but the guys on D made some big plays.”
Peacock looked comfortably ahead 14-0 in the fourth quarter when the Cyclones aerial attack hit its stride and began marching down the field.
Cyclones quarterback Kahlen Branning completed passes on a pair of third down gambles and capped the drive with a touchdown pass to Sam Koot with 4:20 remaining.
Though the convert was blocked by Peacock’s Justin Filteau, the Cyclones picked up where they left off when they got the ball back. The Cyclones were driving in the final minute when Filteau hit Branning at the five yard line, causing a fumble that was recovered by Regan Silversides with 58 seconds left.
“We have a new defence and we held them off pretty well,” said Filteau, who added the team was focused on staying positive and continuing to play hard as they fought off that late Cyclones drive.
“That was a great play on their part. That’s exactly what you want from your defence,” said Central head coach Dave Roney. “That’s one that’s going to stick in your throat for awhile. It will be exciting to get back and play them at the end of the year.”
Peacock quarterback Josh Huschi conceded a safety and then intercepted Branning’s hail mary as time expired.
The Cyclones passing game really took off in the fourth. Branning had 162 yards through the air and Koot caught five passes for 69 yards.
“I think that’s going to be one of our strengths this year,” said Roney. “Our line did a great job for the second week in a row. They gave Kahlen lots of time to make good reads and make good throws.”
It was a tough week for the Tornadoes after tailback Lucas McKay’s father passed away. The game kicked off at 10:30 a.m. so the players could attend the funeral later that afternoon.
“We’ve had some adversity this week,” said Buettner. “It has been hard. Lucas is a very popular kid on our team. Obviously a lot of our kids have played football and other spots with him — same as some of the Central kids. We just really feel for the family. Some guys stepped in and filled in in his absence. Lucas was on the sidelines cheering everybody on.”
We have a new defence and we held them off pretty well. - Justin Filiteau, Peacock Collegiate
