Holy Cross Hawks drop high-scoring road affair

By Tyler Lowey, Times Reporter

The Holy Cross Collegiate Hawks got burned in a shootout last week.
In search of their first Alberta 6 Man Football League win this season, the Hawks dropped a barnburner 50-44 Oct. 20 to the Our Lady of Mount Pleasant Royals in Camrose.
Up one with less than 30 seconds remaining, the Hawks defence – that has been stingy all season long – surrendered the game-winning score.
“It was a nail biter,” said Hawks Head Coach Michael Annicchiarico. “It’s tough to lose a game like that.”
The Hawks offence exploded for a season-high 44 points in the loss. The continual growth of the passing game opened up with the return of powerhouse running back Jayden Hendricks.
A new cog in the system was Grade 12 student Turner Dirk.
Dirk joined the team last week after much convincing from defensive coordinator Josh Jalbert, who worked with Dirk last season on the school’s basketball team.
The new recruit provided instant impact, as he hauled in a pair of receiving touchdowns.
“Turner is a smart kid. We put him as a wide out and kept things simple for him,” said Annicchiarico. “He’s the kind of kid that you don’t have to tell him the same things twice.”
Conversely, on the other side of the ball, the Hawks yielded the most touchdowns this season.
“They were the best offence that we’ve seen this year; we didn’t have an answer for their athletic quarterback and running back,” said Annicchiarico.
That, and the Hawks were burned on one of the most unfortunate turn of events this season.
The Hawks intercepted a pass in the second half, and as the ball carrier was trying to gain extra yards, the Royals stripped the ball back from the Hawks and ran to the house.
Something has to give in the Hawks next matchup, as they take on the winless Provost Public School Panthers Oct. 27 in Provost.
“We’re focused on getting our first win in Provost and we will let the rest of the season and playoff picture take care of itself.”