THETFORD MINES | The Blizzard du Séminaire Saint-François won its first Bol d’Or since 2017 by defeating the Dynamiques du Collège Charles-Lemoyne in overtime on Sunday, by a score of 22 to 15, in a Division 1 juvenile final played in difficult conditions. due to cold, wind and snow.
• Read also: The Sherbrooke Volunteers back at the top
Finalists for the past three years, the Dynamics never gave up and tied the game 15-15 with 43 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, but a 35-yard run for quarterback Samuel Gagné’s touchdown on the first series of overtime launched the Blizzard ahead for good.
Then, Victor Falardeau sealed the victory with an interception at the goal gate.
For Gagné, who took charge of the offense in the overtime victory over the Dynamics in the regular season when the two fifth-year pivots fell in action, it was his second major of the game and he received the title of player par excellence.
“We worked hard for that moment and we deserve it,” said the fourth-grade student. We won twice in overtime against Charles-Lemoyne. We were in full possession and that’s how we were able to get the win. We practiced that play this week and it was the same play that was used on both touchdowns. »
character proof
Antoine Gendron praised the character of his protégés, who erased an 8-1 deficit.
“The guys hung on when Charles-Lemoyne tied the game and they showed a lot of character to win in overtime,” said the Blizzard head coach. I couldn’t be more proud of the guys. During the season the guys have been through tough times and adversity and the guys know they can pull through. »
Gagné’s appearance on the scene in mid-October gave the Blizzard wings.
“Sam has blazing speed and an incredible instinct for finding breaches,” said Gendron, whose squad lost in overtime at the 2018 Bol d’Or to the Jean-Eudes Eagles. This instinct is very special to him and it cannot be taught. On the winning touchdown, the blocks were exceptional. »
Life experience
Michel-Pierre Pontbriand is hopeful that the Dynamics will be back.
“It’s a great experience for the kids and that’s what’s important,” said the head coach. It will remain etched in their memory and they will learn from it. Both teams and both organizations will come back strong next year.
“In our fourth season in Division 1, it’s the third time we’ve reached the final and it’s quite an accomplishment for our program, to pursue the former Winnipeg Blue Bombers center back. We face teams that have been in this for 100 years. We don’t have the respect we should have, but we’ve been at the Bol d’Or for three years. We’ll be back next year and we’re not stressed about it. »