In a matchup earlier in the season, Carlton took down St. Mary 51-14 on Sept. 22, 2023. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW Staff)

By Logan Lehmann

Playoff Fever

Carlton plays host to St. Mary in NSFL semi-final clash

Oct 19, 2023 | 12:17 PM

Following the regular season wrapping up last week, the North Saskatchewan Football League (NSFL) playoffs are set to begin on Thursday night.

Number one ranked Carlton will face off against their crosstown rival and number four ranked St. Mary in round one, a rematch of the 11th annual Canadian Tire Classic played earlier in the season on Sept. 22.

That game saw Carlton come away with the victory in what was a one-sided affair, a 51-14 thrashing of St. Mary. It was the second year in a row that the Cru won the game as they triumphed by an identical score in 2022. In 2021 however, the Marauders were the victors, winning 35-14.

Carlton comes into the playoffs as winners in their last matchup against North Battleford, claiming the title of the league’s number one ranked team after finishing the regular season atop the standings with a 4-0 record.

That game was all Carlton too, right from the start.

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The Crusaders came away with a 44-14 win with 41 of those points coming in the first half. Gage Prodaehl and Ryland Morrison both had a pair of touchdowns in the game while quarterback Sullivan Smith-Windsor went 15/22 on passing, throwing for 324 yards and two touchdowns.

St. Mary on the other hand escaped with their season on the line in their last matchup against Lloydminster.

With their backs against the wall and facing elimination, the Marauders were able to find it within themselves to rise against the odds and hang 33 points on the Barons while also putting on a good defensive showing, holding Lloydminster off the scoreboard.

Griffin Johns, Kenneth Gonzalez, Matt Risom, and Caleb Eckert each scored a touchdown for St. Mary while QB Lukas Robin threw for 56 yards while completing four of ten attempts.

Friday’s win not only secured a playoff spot for St. Mary, but it marked their first victory in the NSFL and their first of the season. Additionally, the win also eliminated Lloydminster from postseason contention.

With that, the number two vs number three semi-final game also happens on Thursday with North Battleford playing host to Martensville. The winner of either semi-final match will move on to the NSFL Finals, which are slated for Saturday, Oct. 28.

From there, the winner will advance to the 5A provincial semi-finals in Saskatoon and will play against the winner from the Saskatoon Secondary Schools Athletic Directorate (SSSAD). The winner from that game will move to the 5A provincial finals which will either be hosted by Regina or a team from the South Rural league.

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com