By Larry Moko
The biggest challenge facing organizers of the 2025 Steel City Bowl was who to select as Offensive Player of the Game award winners.
Neither Catholic nor Public squads could gain much yardage during their annual Hamilton all-star high school football game Sunday.
Strong winds at Hamilton Stadium and solid defensive play made offensive production extremely difficult.
No touchdowns were scored in the contest -- the last tackle football game to be played in Canada this year. Each team conceded a safety touch and a 14-yard field goal by Ian McKinnon of the Westdale Warriors gave Team Public a 5-2 victory.
Both defences were excellent," Team Catholic coach Jim Davies said. "With the best players in the city it should be that way."
Public managed 106 yards in net offence, while Catholic was only slightly better with 142 yards. And in terms of first downs, Public had the edge, 9-6.
Quarterback Hudson Taylor of Team Catholic (Bishop Tonnos Titans) said he's never been on a team during his high school career that has failed to put points on the board.
"They had a good front seven, with their line and linebackers," Taylor said. "But going into the wind I just couldn't effectively throw the ball. It affected our passing game."
Team Catholic attempted two field goals in the second half but neither went through the uprights. One of the attempts by Luca Horvat (Bishop Ryan) was from 45 yards while the other went wide from 33 yards with one minute, 28 seconds remaining.
"I was confident our kicker would be able to make it," Taylor said."But the wind picked up and it didn't go our way.
"It was a heavy wind -- totally in our face when we were going that way at the end."
An interception by Carter Coston (Tonnos) near midfield with two minutes left gave Team Catholic its final scoring opportunity.
On its last possession, Team Public was able to run out the clock when quarterback Colin Denkers (Westmount) ran for a 12-yard gain on a second-and-10 situation from his own 15-yard line.
Team Catholic took the early lead when a sack by Bishop Ryan's Daniel Elugbaju forced Team Public to concede two points. Team Catholic then gave up a safety touch with 4:18 left on the clock.
"We were trying to establish the run game," said Davies, who recently guided Bishop Ryan Celtics to their first league championship in 44 years.
"It was a short turnaround with only two days of practice."
Prior to the switch in venues, the all-star game had been held at McMaster University for the past several years.
"It was nice to have access to this field," Davies said. "It makes it that much more special for the kids."
When the 32nd edition of the Steel City Bowl ended, all the players from Team Public celebrated by running to the back of the end zones and jumping into piles of snow.
The award winners were as follows: Most Valuable Player, Ayden Smallwood, Westdale; Offensive Players of the Game, Maksim Madjeric, Saltfleet, and Caleb Kowalchuk, St. Thomas More; Defensive Players of the Game, Austin Rotz, Waterdown and Coston, Tonnos; Special Teams Players of the Game, Ben Kingston, Bishop Ryan and Brock Philippe-Daniel, Westmount.
Other players on the Team Catholic roster were: Noah Cannon, Adrian Tassone, Joseph Cafagna, Xavier Shields, Andrew Centurami, Lucas Underhill, Adriano Infurnari, Jack Redmond, Charlie Ruzzier, Adrian Klindzic-Dovial, Connor Beach, Nelson Aramburo, Marcus Barbosa, Joey Jaf-Taylor, Nico Difilippo, Hunter Richer, Darien Joseph, Luka Sandrk, Jacob Grajales, Quinten Douglas, Jesse Vaccarella, Rylan Reschny, Daelin Janveau, Riley Lachance, Matthew Pereira, Davis Vaugeious, Tredon Dacosta, Julian Cooke, Owen Prak, Nicholas Miller, Austin Eason, Michael Picyk, Cruz DeSantis, William Shields, Kevin Kulina, Daniel Elugbaju and Liam Butler.
On the ground, Kowalchuk rushed nine times for 47 yards and Tonnos receiver Joseph Cafagna caught four passes for 47 yards.
Game statistics courtesy of John Metcalfe.
Photos by R.F. (Bob) Butrym, RFB Sport Photography
More photos on HWCDSB Athletics Facebook page
