Last year Huron Heights Secondary School in Newmarket made history.
They won the York Region championship; the Warriors took the All-Ontario title by beating the Don Bosco Eagles in the Metro Bowl.
The bowl series has been reformatted this year – it’ll no longer be played at the Rogers Centre – but that doesn't make a repeat any less appealing.
The Warriors’ victory last year was 50 years in the making and they’re back for more this year with a date with Bill Crothers.
“They’re a good hardnosed team,” says Kaleb Scott. “They put up a good match they fight.”
Heath Weir, offensive co-ordinator, says the pressure is on the Warriors to keep up a pattern of wins.
"We've beat them twice before so the pressure is on us,” he says “We’re the front-runners but you never know what can happen."
If the Warriors win, they'll play the champions from Western Ontario.
So far Huron Heights is undefeated, despite a handful of new players on offence and defence and two new coaches.
But Al Rover, the architect of the Warriors dynasty, is the man holding it all together.
“Everyone’s been working hard all off-season in the gym,” says running back Kyle Lasota. “We want this so bad. Coach is working us hard but we all know it's worth it.”
Star quarterback Scott is racking up big numbers again, including a six-touchdown performance against Bill Crothers earlier this year.
Scott isn’t taking all the credit though.
"Our running game, we have a lot of good veteran players who dominate that line, a well-oiled machine,” he says.
"He’s our MVP,” says Rover. “Helps the younger guys. He's faster, stronger and has the leadership abilities. He helps coach the kids, calls his own plays, it’s a great thing to have.”
Having beat Bill Crothers twice already this season, both teams know what to expect. If the Warriors win this Saturday they'll play in the All-Ontario championship in two weeks’ time.
