Tec Voc Football Team: Champions of WHSFL

The Tec Voc Football team celebrated a historic victory on November 7th, claiming the WHSFL Currie Bowl AAA 2024 Championship title.

The team's dominant performance throughout the season, securing 9 out of 10 wins, set the stage for a thrilling championship game against the John Taylor Pipers. In a nail-biting match at the Princess Auto stadium, Tec Voc emerged victorious with a score of 24-11.

Head Coach Ryan Karhut expressed his pride in the team's achievements, particularly highlighting the leadership of the Grade 12 players, "We have a tremendous group of Grade 12's that have been with this program for two years. They started this thing and built it into what it has become. They set the standard for everyone on and off the field. They are tremendous leaders for our team and the school as a whole. I couldn't be happier for them after seeing all the work they have put in to get themselves to this point; it's just tremendous to see them get the ultimate reward for all their hard work."

Noah Heppner was named the final game's Most Valuable Player. He showcased exceptional skills both offensively and defensively. 

His impressive stats in the final game included 28 carries for 155 yards on offence, six tackles and two tackles for loss on defence. In three playoff games, Heppner rushed for 601 yards on 77 carries and scored five touchdowns. Overall, he had 118 carries, 980 yards, and seven touchdowns for the season.

"The locker room was full of emotions after losing last year in the semi-finals. It hurt to see our grade 12s go out that way, but it forced our grade 11s to step up and fill the void. We knew we had to set the standard for the team and the new players joining our team. We worked hard to ensure we wouldn't have the same ending again. We started to lose our way, and we lost our last regular season game. It was a great shot of reality for us and fueled us for the playoffs. We knew we had to be better in every way. The realization of that hard work set in the championship game when the clock hit zero, and we became champions. For many of us, it was the reward for two years of hard work and sacrifice."

Principal Garth McAlpine emphasized the unifying power of sports and the positive impact the team had on the entire Tec Voc community, 

 "Sports has a tremendous way of bringing people together and the Tec Voc football team brought not only a school together but a community. Staff, students and families gathered weekly on the sidelines to cheer on a group of young people working to achieve a common goal. The team was an easy group to root for as they carried themselves in a humble but confident way, knowing that if they worked hard and supported each other, they could achieve something that would bind them together for a lifetime."

The Tec Voc Football team's championship win shows how hard work and teamwork can lead to amazing things. This win will inspire future athletes and be a great memory for everyone involved.

Trenton Bourassa, a team member, highlighted the team's camaraderie, "Our team this year was special; we had a group of leaders who led this team to success on and off the field. Every time our team faced adversity throughout the season, we got closer and fought through it together. We couldn't win them all, but the journey prepared us for the ultimate team reward, a CHAMPIONSHIP!"

“The team’s success was not just due to the players on the field. A huge shoutout to the Tec Voc Broadcasting, Culinary Arts, Cheer leaders and Photography department for all their hardwork in supporting the Football team. Parents and grandparents have been a phenomenal and constant support throughout the season,” said Tracy Darbyshire, Vice Principal, Tec-Voc High School. 

Congratulations to the team for their first WHSFL championship since 2006 and the second in the school's history!

Here are more photos from the game and the celebration.