BRANDON, Man. – Brandonʼs Vincent Massey Vikings high school football team put the finishing touches on a perfect season last week with a 31-23 victory over the Steinbach Sabres to capture the Winnipeg High School Football Leagueʼs Westman Championship.

The Vikings went a perfect 6-0 in the regular season before knocking off the Sabres in the championship final for their third victory over the Steinbach club this season. The Vincent Massey team relied largely on quarterback Justin Sharp to lead the offense. Sharp capped off the year with an impressive 1535 yards and 21 touchdowns through the air while also averaging 9.6 yards per carry on the ground to go along with five rushing touchdowns. Head coach Mike Steeves says itʼs a combination of Sharpʼs ability along with the talent and hard work amongst the receiving corps that allowed the team to be so successful.

“Weʼve never, in our program – and weʼve had some pretty good quarterbacks – had a quarterback that could throw a ball like he does,” says Steeves of Sharp. “But even the years weʼve had someone that is comparable, weʼve never had the (amount of) receivers that can catch the ball like the guys we have, and that comes from the chemistry. We all think lifting weights and those kinds of things, but just getting out, running patterns, and throwing a football made all those guys great and it really added to his season.”

With such an explosive offense, it’s easy to overlook other areas of the group that were instrumental in the teamʼs overall success. The Vincent Massey defense was a force to be reckoned with this season – not allowing double-digit points against until Week 5. In fact, the team held the opposition to just 10.8 points per game.

“I found that the year was one like none other in the fact that kids were so eager to get back,” adds Steeves. “And it didn’t matter if it was a workout or a practice or just chalk talk – kids were just so excited to get back at it and I think missing a year, they really appreciated the moment and the opportunity that they were getting and it was probably the most fun year Iʼve had to coach.”

The trio of Matthew Escoto-Andino, Lucas Cels, and Aaron Pasaporte led the Westman division in both receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. In seven games this season, the ensemble combined for 1367 yards and 23 touchdowns. Escoto-Andio perhaps saved his best performance until the championship final where the 16-year-old reeled in 112 yards on five catches along with three trips into the end zone.

“A lot of kids, during that time off, took the opportunity to better themselves,” adds Steeves. “All their learning and ability to get better comes from what they do on their own. So they had to take the initiative to get better and a lot of the kids that came to camp this September were stronger than they normally would be and in better shape. I think they just came as prepared as Iʼve ever seen them to start a football season.”

After entering this past season with uncertainty surrounding his desire to even want to coach, Vincent Massey head coach Mike Steeves said this year was the most fun heʼs ever had from the sidelines and intends to return next season to defend their Westman Championship.

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