Hurricanes title-game bound

Holland College knocks off defending champ UNB Fredericton to reach AFL final

The Holland College Hurricanes football team punched its ticket to the Atlantic Football League final by punching out the UNB Fredericton Red Bombers 40-34 in a come-from-behind overtime win.

In Sunday’s semifinal in Fredericton, N.B., Adam Shambemiradam caught a pass in the end zone from quarterback Brady Crowe in overtime giving the ‘Canes the lead.

The defending champion Bombers had a chance for the win when it got the ball, but a stop by defensive end Tyler Hobbs on third-and-five sealed the victory and made head coach Ross Young proud of his resilient group.

“The guys did not panic. Offence had a great week in practice and it showed in their game today. Our defence struggled to contain the Bombers’ offence, and in the fourth quarter and in overtime they dug in,” Young said. “This group of young men showed a lot of character and have been working hard to prove to the league that they are a good football team. We have come from behind most of the year and the coaches and players worked hard to earn this victory. We can’t wait to see Dal next week.”

The Dalhousie Tigers, finalists last season and regular season winners, thumped UNBSJ 51-9 in the other semifinal in Halifax, N.S.

Holland College and Dal tangle in the championship match Saturday in Halifax.

Down 14-0 in the first quarter and then 34-17 with 8:19 left to play, Holland College eventually tied the game 34-34 on Jarrett Walker’s touchdown and twopoint conversion catches in the last 15 seconds of regulation.

Help along the way included defensive back Donovin Small running back a Bombers fourthquarter fumble 60 yards for a touchdown and receiver KayeMitchell’s 50-yard catch and run which set up Walker’s heroics.

It’s the third time in four years the teams have met in the AFL final and the teams are 1-1.

The Tigers beat the ’Canes 29-11 in the 2016 title game, while Holland College outlasted Dal 32-24 in the 2015 championship game.

Dal downed Holland College 21-17 in last year’s semifinal round and won both regular season meetings in 2018.