By Sam Laskaris
The Northern Red Knights will now have an opportunity to finish their regular season league action undefeated.
The Red Knights, one of five squads participating in Toronto’s public schools league this season, boosted their mark to 3-0 this past Friday.
Northern pulled out a 24-14 victory against the visiting Richview Saints from Etobicoke in the contest held at Clarke Pulford Field.
The Red Knights were able to register the W even though their offence was unable to score a touchdown.
Sheadenn Bowerbank scored a pair of first-half touchdowns for Northern as he returned two punt returns for majors.
Northern’s only other TD was scored in the third quarter when Red Knights’ linebacker Ted Zaimi blocked a Richview punt from about the Saints’ 30-yard line. After blocking the punt, Zaimi managed to scoop up the ball and run in for a major.
Liam Trail was good on all three of his point after attempts and also booted about a 35-yard field goal in the final quarter to round out the Red Knights’ scoring.
Northern head coach George Gretes didn’t seem too worried his offence was not successful getting into the Saints’ end zone.
“I still think we have the best receiving corps in the city,” Gretes said. “We have five guys that can catch the ball and do something with it after.”
Gretes added a focus at the Red Knights’ practices this week will be on getting the team’s quarterbacks – Lenox Nizami and Dan Mick – in sync with the club’s receivers.
Despite the team’s offensive struggles, Gretes also said he was pleased to see his charges earn the victory over Richview.
“It was the first time we have beaten them since 2017,” he said.
The Red Knights will now have an opportunity to reach another accomplishment this week.
Northern will square off against the Western Tech Colts, who are also 3-0 thus far this season, in its final regular season game.
That match, which will be held at Northern, has an opening kickoff set for 3 p.m.
The winner will finish atop the regular season standings and earn the Number 1 seed going into the league playoffs.
“We haven’t secured the first seed in as long as I can remember – maybe 10 years,” Gretes said.
