Larry Moko
The defensive secondary became a primary offensive threat for the St. Thomas More Knights football team.
Playing on its home field Friday, More intercepted five passes, turning four of them into points en route to a 38-0 victory over the St. John Henry Newman Cardinals.
That semifinal playoff decision advances the Knights to the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic high school championship game on Friday, Nov. 8 against the Bishop Tonnos Titans. First-place Tonnos earned its berth with a 48-21 win over the fourth-place Bishop Ryan Celtics.
Three of More's touchdowns were Pick-6s. Rogan Monaghan returned two into the end zone from 56 and 80 yards after Emmanuel Okali ran one back for a 55-yard score.
Knights DBs Conner Beach and Caleb Kowalchuk picked off one pass apiece, with Beach nabbing his deep in Newman territory to set up the game's opening field goal.
"We were playing very good zone defence," Monaghan said. "We didn't play much man defence, mainly just zone.”
Monaghan said the Pick-6s were the first two of his high school career.
"And I've never seen that many in a game before," he said.
Said Knights coach Claudio Silvestri: "The defence has been our strength all year. They're amazing."
Monaghan also was a big part of More's ground attack, carrying 12 times for 96 yards. One of those rushes was for one yard and a second-quarter TD that gave the Knights a 13-0 advantage.
Kicker Adrian Klindzic-Dovial chipped in with field goals of 16, 41 and 29 yards plus three converts.
On one occasion, the Knights faked a convert attempt and picked up a two-point conversion, instead, when holder Monaghan tossed a pass to Christian Chukwuali.
"When our heads are in the right place I believe we're the best team in the city," Monaghan said.
Second-place More completed the regular season a week ago with a satisfying 24-3 victory over third-place Newman.
"We are coming off a two-year letdown," Monaghan said. "They beat us the last two years and knocked us out in the playoffs. So this was a really big win for us."
Silvestri said he has "nothing but admiration and respect" for the Newman football program.
"They had our number the last couple of years, no doubt about it," he said. "This is a rivalry that has been going on for the last 15 years or so. It's always exciting to play them. The players are a class act and they are well coached."
The Cardinals put together one impressive drive late in the first half. Quarterback James Romano connected on four passes to receiver Nolan Methot for a combined 38 yards and Marco Moravac ran twice for 21 yards. However, Newman turned the ball over on downs at the 10-yard line.
Undefeated Tonnos is vying for its fourth-straight league title. In Silvestri's on-field comments to his team post game, he said: "No one in this city gave us even a chance at the beginning of the year. You guys are realizing what you're capable of. Let's finish this."
More's only loss in seven starts this season was against the Titans -- 25-24.
Friday's other senior game saw the St. Jean de Brébeuf Braves top the Cathedral Gaels, 21-15. And that qualifies for Brébeuf the Tier II final on Nov. 8 at St. Mary against the Crusaders.
Photos by R.F. (Bob) Butrym, RFB Sport Photography
More photos on the HWCDSB Athletics Facebook page here