A member of the St. Joe's Celtics runs for a touchdown in a game against the GP Composite Warriors in the 2019 Peace Bowl Final (Photo: Shaun Penner / EverythingGP staff)

By Shane Clausing

High school football

St. Joe’s, Sexsmith football teams both eyeing birth in provincial final

Nov 19, 2021 | 1:05 PM

Students athletes on the St. Joseph Celtics and Sexsmith Sabres are gearing up to play in their North Division final matchups this Saturday.

The Sexsmith Sabres are ranked as the top team in Tier IV and will host the number eight ranked Ardrossan Bisons at 11:30 a.m. at the CKC Field that day.

The Celtics, meanwhile, are ranked as the top team in Tier II and will face the Leduc Tigers at 2:30 p.m. at the CKC Field.

St. Joe’s was undefeated in league play this season.

Celtics coach Trevor Prichard says it’s great to see football in the Peace Region being represented so strongly on the provincial level.

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“It’s made our area proud and has really showcased football in our area especially this year.”

Both teams at Sexsmith and St. Joe’s were able to play a full season this year after nearly two years away from the field because of the pandemic.

Sexsmith knocked off the St. Paul Lions 29-7 last week in order to host the North final, while the Celtics were able to defeat the Austin O’Brien Crusaders 35-14 last Saturday in Edmonton to earn their spot in the Tier II North final this weekend.

Prichard tells EverythingGP he’s proud of what his team has been able to accomplish so far this season.

“Our kids have worked extremely hard and here we are at the end of November still playing. It’s very motivating and inspirational knowing you’re one step away from representing the North at Commonwealth Stadium, playing for a Tier II championship. We’re really excited about the opportunity.”

Prichard added he’s also impressed his team has been able to get this far.

“I’m very impressed, in fact, probably more impressed than most years because of the amount of work these kids had to do to get back into the process of being athletes and putting their mind into performing at the highest level,” he said.

“I’ve got to give them kudos with the amount of work they’ve done and the work ethic they’ve shown throughout that process. It’s made us coaches proud of who they are.”

St. Joe’s last made the provincial championship in 2016 and won their only championship in 2014.

The winner of the North Division title will travel to Edmonton on Friday and play in the provincial championship at Commonwealth Stadium.

The Tier IV championship game takes place on Saturday, November 27 at 11:00 a.m., while the Tier II championship game will happen at 7:00 p.m.