Both teams made big plays, but the Vanier Vikings were just able to make more of them when it counted on Saturday.

The Vikings ended the Central Cyclones’ season with a 22-15 win in the Moose Jaw High School Football League quarterfinal match-up at Gutheridge Field.

“We’ve been struggling a bit lately, record-wise and just with some different injuries, but we got healthy enough today that we could go out and battle,” said Vanier head coach Ryan Gottselig.  “I’m so proud of our kids, that’s a really good football team that we beat over there and they played well too.”

The game started off with the teams trading touchdowns in the opening minute and continued to go back-and-forth from there.  Vanier led 16-7 heading into halftime was able to keep that gap for the rest of the game.

The Vikings sealed the game by forcing a turnover on all five possessions by the Cyclones in the fourth quarter.

“This win feels great,” said Vanier quarterback Ryan Stefanovic, who finished the game 8-of-15 for 192 yards and one touchdown.  He had -40 yards rushing on 15 carries, but was able to score a pair of touchdowns on the ground to help the team to the win.

Stefanovic, who was also playing safety for the Vikings in the win, hauled in a game-sealing interception in front of the Cyclones’ bench with just 44 seconds left to play in the contest.

“That’s the first time that I’ve ever done that and honestly I didn’t play as good at quarterback in the second half because I was super dead from doing that, but hopefully I just continue to grow my conditioning each week,” said Stefanovic.

Vanier defensive lineman Brogan Townsend throws down Central's Ethan Watt during Saturday's quarterfinal meeting at Gutheridge Field. (Photo: Marc Smith)

After finishing the regular season strong with a 3-3 record to earn the third seed, the Cyclones leave disappointed after putting in a solid effort against the Vikings in a tough match-up.

“Both teams played real well, I’m proud of Central for what we did and you’ve got to hand it to Vanier, just sometimes they outworked us,” said Central linebacker Brant Schwengler.

“We had lots of talent on this team and it’s going to be a good team next year, but those little mental errors were our downfall.”

Vanier opened the game with 78-yard catch and run by receiver Tanner Sanford. Stefanovic punched the ball into the end zone for a two-yard touchdown on the next play to make it 7-0 just 42 seconds into the game.

Central’s C.J. Vincent responded in a big way for the Cyclones just 12 seconds later when he took the ensuing kick-off back 80 yards for a score to tie the game at 7-7 and open up the seesaw battle.

The Vikings went in front again early in the second quarter when Sanford hauled in a 15-yard touchdown catch.  He finished the game with four catches for 145 yards in the win.

Vanier forced Central to concede a safety on the next drive to take a 16-7 advantage, while the Cyclones finished back-to-back drives heading into halftime with a turnover on downs inside Vanier’s 25-yard line.

Vanier extended their lead to 22-7 early in the second half when Stefanovic jumped over the line for a one-yard score.  Central answered right back with an 11-yard touchdown catch by Riley Seaborn.

The Vikings would go two-and-out six straight possessions to end the game, but their defence stood tall, forcing Central into a pair of fumbles, two interceptions and a turnover on downs in the fourth quarter to hold on for the win.

Central's C.J. Vincent fights for a catch during Saturday's quarterfinal match-up with the Vanier Vikings. (Photo: Marc Smith)

“I thought the kids played hard in the second half, their hearts were in there, the passion was there, the defence played great and got multiple stops, which gave our offence many, many opportunities, we were just unfortunately unable to capitalize on it,” said Central head coach Colin Belsher.

“Vanier had our number this year, it sucks for the grade 12s, but that’s the game of football.”

Ethan Johnson completed 18-of-35 passes for 208 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.  He completed a pass to seven different receivers in the game, Vincent led the way with eight catches for 59 yards and Seaborn finished with four catches for 49 yards.

The Vikings will now face the first place Yorkton Raiders in the semifinals this Saturday.  Yorkton had a bye this weekend after going 6-0 during the regular season.

“We’re going to ride this one out and celebrate this one, but then we’ll regroup and there’s nothing wrong with being the underdog once and a while,” said Gottselig.