McKinnon Park's Sean Fisher #5, pursued by Waterford's Owen Hewitt #82.
The McKinnon Park Blue Devils are AABHN football champions after a dramatic 31–12 win over the Waterford Wolves on Saturday in Caledonia.
The Wolves came in confident after edging the Blue Devils 15–14 in the regular season, and they struck first in the second quarter. Owen Whitehorn (#84) intercepted a pass at midfield and ran it back for a pick-six, giving Waterford a 6–0 lead.
McKinnon Park cut the gap before halftime with a 15-yard field goal by kicker Iain Baird (#15), sending the teams into the break locked in a tight 6–3 defensive battle.
The turning point came late in the third quarter. Heavy rain and lightning rolled in just as Waterford lined up for an 18-yard field goal, forcing officials to halt play. The teams left the field, the rain hammered down, and for a moment the entire championship felt suspended in the storm.
When the skies finally cleared and the Wolves returned, something had shifted. Instead of sending out the field-goal unit, Waterford scrapped the kick and chose to take a gamble. Quarterback Marcus Mudge (#19) fired a pass on a quick inside route, but the play came up short. The Wolves turned the ball over on downs deep in Blue Devils territory—inside the five-yard line.
McKinnon Park seized control immediately. Receiver Austin Fess (#34) caught a short hitch pass, broke a tackle, and raced 104 yards for a touchdown. On the next drive, Simon Feruglio (#1) intercepted Wolves quarterback Marcus Mudge, setting up a rushing touchdown by Owen Fess (#91).
The Blue Devils dominated the fourth quarter, with Owen Fess scoring three rushing touchdowns in total. Whitehorn added a late receiving touchdown for Waterford, giving him scores on both offence and defence, but the Wolves could not recover.
For many seniors, this was more than just another football game—it was their last. Soon they’ll head off to college, apprenticeships, and new careers, and most will never put on pads or a helmet again. But as they move forward, it won’t be the scores they carry with them. They’ll remember the feeling of standing shoulder to shoulder in the huddle, sharing a purpose with teammates who became family.
In the end, that’s what lasts. The friendships and the tiny moments.
Football is a beautiful game—and this season was a memorable one.
Written by Jeremy Hall
