It’s a battle for Calgary in this week’s 5A boys provincial football championship

Ernest Manning and Notre Dame high schools are getting in their final practices before heading up to Edmonton for the 5A boys football final.

The Ernest Manning Griffins and the Notre Dame Pride will be busy this week, getting in some final practices before heading to Edmonton for the 5A boys football final.

Manning got there by upsetting the No. 1-ranked Harry Ainlay of Edmonton in the semi-final this past weekend.

It was a thriller, as the Griffins got past the Titans 23-20 in overtime.

Quarterback Harrison Hyndman says there is still work to be done.

“Honestly, it was a relief to win the game,” said the 16-year-old.

“I love these guys, and I want to keep playing with them. At the end of the day, it’s unfinished business because we have another game, so it’s a relief, but we don’t want to get too caught up in it.

“We want to keep rolling and keep going for the full championship run.”

Battle of Calgary

And now the Griffins go on to face the Pride in the championship game on Saturday night.

The two teams did face each other earlier this season before the teachers’ strike, with the Pride squeaking out an 8-7 win.

Griffins head coach Garth Melrose says it should be a great battle.

“Another rivalry,” said Melrose.

“We’re pretty lucky to be able to play teams that we’re familiar with but also have a lot of history with.

“That Notre Dame program is very impressive, and coach (Dave) Diluzio runs a really good show there, so we’re excited for the challenge.”

Pride impressive in semi-final

The Pride advanced to the championship game by taking down the second-ranked Raymond Comets 31-13.

It was a dominant performance, and Pride quarterback Christopher Cox says it was a great effort from start to finish.

“Obviously, we were just happy to be playing in the semi-finals,” said the 17-year-old.

“Super good team in Raymond; they’re always a strong team. We’re just super happy to come out of there with a win. Great coaching on both parts, and we were just physically dominant and that’s what we wanted to be.”

Happy to be back in championship game

The Pride have been to the provincial final six times, but not since 2015.

Diluzio says this one will be special because he believes with the teachers’ strike, they were only a couple of days away from cancelling the entire high school football season.

“We’re really savouring this opportunity to go and play,” said Diluzio.

“It’s really special for the players and the coaches and especially for the families. They had to deal with the players kind of thinking that their season was over in October.”