This is part of Northern Notables, a collection of interviews with NSS Alumni who have made an impact in their personal and professional lives.
Red Knights Capture Jr. and Sr. Championships!
2022 Football Season
by Sam Laskaris
The 2022 season was indeed one for the ages – for the junior and senior Northern Red Knights football teams.
Both clubs registered undefeated regular season and playoff records, en route to winning their respective league championships.
The junior Red Knights convincingly won all five of their regular season matches, collectively outscoring their opponents 239-23. The squad then blanked the Richview Saints 27-0 in its league semi-final. In their final against the Leaside Lancers (Nov. 10 at Toronto’s Varsity Stadium), at first trailing 17-0 in the opening quarter, the Red Knights rebounded to a 21-17 victory.
"For sure it was one of the best teams we’ve had in a long time. For the most part we rolled through our opponents."– John Lombardi, Head Coach, Junior Red Knights
Junior Red Knights Regular Season Action:
All images © Northern Red Knights Football
“We were very happy with our season obviously because we ended up winning. That’s a nice way to end the season.” said John Lombardi, the head coach of the junior Red Knights. Lombardi was also obviously pleased his charges posted an over-all record of 7-0.
“For the most part we rolled through our opponents,” he said. “We had some adversity in both our semi-finals and finals and our kids responded incredibly well.”
Lombardi’s club had all the tools necessary for success. “We had a really talented quarterback. We had a lot of really talented skilled position players all over. And our defence was really sound, " Lombardi said. "You couldn’t be happier with that season. It was quite awesome.”
As for the senior Red Knights – they had a perfect 4-0 regular season, going on to thump the Lawrence Park Panthers 31-1 in their semi-final. In their league final at Varsity Stadium, the Red Knights required some last-minute heroics though. Trailing 14-13 with less than a minute to go in the game, Northern managed to score a late touchdown to earn a 21-14 triumph.
Senior Red Knights Regular Season Action + City Championship Photo:
All images © Northern Red Knights Football
With that victory on Nov. 10, the Red Knights qualified to participate in the National Capital Bowl, one of nine season-ending provincial OFSAA Bowl games.
All of the OFSAA Bowl matches were staged at the University of Guelph’s Alumni Stadium, and Ottawa’s St. Matthew Tigers provided the opposition for the Red Knights in their Bowl game, held Nov. 30.
Though Northern led 14-3 at halftime, the Tigers rallied in the second half, scored three TDs and earned a 24-15 win.
Though Northern led 14-3 at halftime, the Tigers rallied in the second half, scored three TDs and earned a 24-15 win.
"The Grade 11s got experience [in the National Capital Bowl] and they know what that feels like now ... and we’ll build off that next year."– George Gretes, Head Coach, Senior Red Knights
Despite the loss, Northern head coach George Gretes said that simply participating in the Bowl game was a huge deal and will be a career highlight for many.
“I’m proud of the guys for the work they did either way,” said Gretes. “They’ll take it away and remember it forever,” he said.
More than half of those on the senior roster have now played their final high school match, “but the Grade 11s got experience and they know what that feels like now ... and we’ll build off that next year,” Gretes added. Since the junior season had already concluded, several junior players also joined the senior team and participated in the National Capital Bowl. “And some of them produced,” Gretes said. “A lot of Grade 10s don’t get that opportunity. So, I’m proud of those guys coming up.”
More than half of those on the senior roster have now played their final high school match, “but the Grade 11s got experience and they know what that feels like now ... and we’ll build off that next year,” Gretes added. Since the junior season had already concluded, several junior players also joined the senior team and participated in the National Capital Bowl. “And some of them produced,” Gretes said. “A lot of Grade 10s don’t get that opportunity. So, I’m proud of those guys coming up.”
LINKS
Interviewer Sam Laskaris is a Toronto-based freelance writer who follows the many Red Knights athletics teams, writing articles about boys and girls squads. He joined the NSSF board in early 2021. His wife Kathryn (Defries) and their two sons, Michael and Adam, are Northern alumni. Sam has been a long-time supporter of Northern where his sons were key contributors to the school’s drama and athletic programs.
