The Hat High Hawks shake hands with the Holy Trinity Academy Knights after the Knights knocked them from provincials with a 35-18 win on Saturday. (Photo Courtesy Chris Brown)

By Chris Brown

Vikings move on in Tier 3

Turnover troubles knock Hawks from provincial playoffs

Nov 13, 2021 | 9:13 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – An inability to hang on to the football spelled an end to the season for the Hat High Hawks on Saturday at the Methanex Bowl.

A fumble late in the second half allowed Okotoks’ Holy Trinity Academy Knights’ offense to add a third touchdown, taking a 21-8 lead to the break.

The Hawks scored 10 unanswered points in the second half and were driving before another fumble handed the ball to the Knights. They quickly took advantage, scoring on a 73-yard run on the very next play.

A late touchdown by the Knights made the final 35-18.

Hawks coach Quinn Skelton was optimistic after they had cut the lead to three.

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“But we turned over the ball there at the end and gave HTA (Holy Trinity Academy) a chance and then they put another seven points on the board,” he said. “It’s a tough one but the boys played very hard, they did not quit. I’m really proud of that and it just kind of stings right now.”

Skelton was emotional after the game, and praised his graduating players for how they’ve handled the past three seasons and the whole team for what he called a great year.

“I think we’ll finish off with 10 and 3 I think after tonight which obviously is you know still a great year,” he said. “It’s just, it always kind of hurts when you put it away for the last time.”

In the early game, the Crescent Heights Vikings beat the Stettler Wildcats 20-2. The Vikings will play for the South Championship on Nov. 20 in Cochrane against the Cobras.