text: PETER RUICCI/Sault Star Korah's Tyler Brechin, the city's most valuable senior player, runs inside for yardage against the Lively Hawks in last week's NOSSA senior football semifinal. The Colts stopped the Hawks 52-23 to advance into Saturday's NOSSA final against North Bay's West Ferris Trojans. Start time at Superior Heights is 2 p.m.
  And their head coach, Tom Annett, believes that hurt his team to some extent when it came time to playing in the Northern Ontario Secondary Schools Association (NOSSA) final.
  The Sault’s High School Senior Football League featured four-down ball – up until this season when it joined North Bay and Sudbury in giving teams three downs to advance the ball 10 yards.
  However, NOSSA competition also featured four downs – until 2017 when three-down ball became the norm.
  “We were very run dominant last year and that isn’t conducive to three-down football,” said Annett, whose team dropped the NOSSA title game, losing 25-24 to North Bay’s West Ferris Trojans.
  “We’re better adjusted to it now,” said Annett, whose team takes an 8-0 record (postseason included) into the NOSSA final. “We’re more balanced this year. We can throw the ball more effectively.”
  Annett points to all-star quarterback Jordan Robinson-Wright and an impressive group of receivers, which begins with league MVP Tyler Brechin.
  Nik Gervasi scored three touchdowns, rushing for 179 yards on 10 carries. Tristan O’Flynn also ran impressively, carrying 11 times for 172 yards.
  “We’re determined to have a balanced attack,” Annett said. “But our philosophy is to take what the defence gives us.”
  Earlier in the week, the Korah coach called the Trojans the best team his club would face this season.
  He also lauded West Ferris quarterback Mason McGriskin, using the word “excellent” to describe the fifth-year player.
  West Ferris was a 31-21 winner over St. Joseph-Scollard Hall in the Nipissing District Association (NDA) final.
  The teams were tied 24-24 when the Trojans secured the eventual margin of victory on a single point from a West Ferris punt.
  “It was heartbreaking for me,” said offensive tackle Thomas Thibault, a six-foot-two, 215-pounder. “Honestly, I’ve thought about that loss since last year. We’re using it as motivation.”
  Jurich, a six-foot, 220-pounder, also spoke of how he and his teammates have put in a lot of work towards this game.
  Defensive back Zack Politano also talked about how last year’s loss to West Ferris has stuck in the Colts craw.
  “It’s really driving us,” said the six-foot-two, 175-pounder. “I think it’s the hungriest we’ve ever been. We’re going to come into this game the most prepared we’ve ever been.”
  Along with earning NOSSA bragging rights, Saturday’s winner advances to play in the National Capital Bowl, an Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations event slated for Nov. 27, beginning at 7 p.m. in Ottawa.
  The NOSSA champion is slated to face the champion of the National Capital Secondary School Athletic Association (NCSSAA).