CORNWALL, P.E.I. — They say football is about family, and the Summerside Cooke Insurance Clippers proved it Saturday night.
After winning their sixth straight Potato Bowl, the boys ran down behind the fence at the Terry Fox Sports Complex in Cornwall to get a photo with head coach John Turner’s wife. Carolyn Rowe-Turner is battling brain cancer.
Wide receiver Zackary Blood said winning the title for the couple, who give so much to the program, was important to them, and that is why they made sure she was a part of the celebration.
“John is like family to us,” Blood said. “That’s really all that mattered to me – winning it for him.”
It was an emotional moment for the team and one that won’t be forgotten.
“This was probably my biggest victory ever just because of my wife,” Turner said.
“I told the boys I love them all and I really appreciate it. I will never forget that kind gesture by the boys.”
Varsity champs
Here are the past 10 winners of the Football P.E.I. Potato Bowl:
2020 Summerside Clippers
2019 Summerside Clippers
2018 Summerside Clippers
2017 Summerside Clippers
2016 Summerside Clippers
2015 Summerside Clippers
2014 Charlottetown Privateers
2013 Souris Wildcats
2012 Souris Wildcats
2011 Souris Wildcats
The Clippers defeated the Charlottetown Privateers 32-6 to win the Papa John’s Football P.E.I. title and retain varsity football supremacy.
— Guardian Sports (@SportsGuardian) November 14, 2020
“If we were going to win this game, our defence had to set the tone,” Turner said. “We only gave up six points to that great offence Charlottetown had all year.”
While the Privateers were able to move the ball against the Clippers, Summerside limited the big plays and made them earn every inch of the field.
“(The defence has) been like that all year,” said Blood. “It’s great and gives us a chance on offence. Even when we’re not clicking, they keep us in the game.”
Blood earned the Matt Dunigan award as offensive player of the game after recording three touchdowns and a two-point conversion. Sean Matheson and Campbell Wadman also contributed TDs while the Clippers Spencer Rossiter earned the Vernon Pahl award as defensive player of the game.
Summerside led 6-0 after the first quarter. Ivan Kimpinski tied it early in the second quarter, but the score wasn’t even for long.
Blood returned the ensuing kickoff for a major as Summerside regained a lead it wouldn’t relinquish.
“We come back and take one to the house,” said Turner, drenched in the orange Gatorade his players dumped on him after the victory. “There’s always a few big plays every game, and that was the big momentum changer.”
Blood, a Grade 11 student who started playing football in Summerside in Grade 5, said it was “truly amazing” to be able to return a kick for a major in the biggest game of the season.
“All year, I wanted people to kick it deep to me, but most times they don’t. When it happens, I know I am taking it back,” said the 16-year-old receiver. “I just wanted to go out there and do what I could do – contribute and help my team win.”
Turner said the Privateers deserve a lot of credit. He called Dave Henderson a week ago to congratulate his group after their semifinal victory.
“I was so proud of him and his organization,” Turner said. “They went through a lot of lean years where they didn't have a lot of players. A lot of guys would have packed it in and gave up on the program, but he didn't … and look where it is now.”
He also praised the coaching staff of Kyle Nicholson, Colin Trewin, Kyle Younker and Zak Jarvis, who all played on the Privateers team that won the Potato Bowl in 2014.
“It’s great to see the kids giving back to football.”
Summerside won its first varsity title in 2015 and has held the title every year since. They have six championship and are closing in on the Charlottetown and Souris, which have eight and 11 titles, respectively. The Spartans only had five Grade 12s this year, so they can return the majority of its roster.
“It feels amazing,” Blood said. “Six years in a row and we’re coming back for seven next year.”
Jason Malloy is The Guardian's sports editor. He can be reached by email at jason.malloy@theguardian.pe.ca and follow him on Twitter at @SportsGuardian .
