The Saint John Wanderers are officially kings of the Maritime Football League hill again.
Saint John completed the MFL’s first-ever undefeated season with a 28-18 victory over the Dartmouth Knights in Maritime Bowl IV Saturday at St. Mary’s University in Halifax.
The Wanderers took a 20-6 lead into halftime and then held on against the Eastern Conference champions. Quarterback Jon Hachey passed for one touchdown and ran for another to key the Saint John offence.
“These guys just played an absolutely great game,”
said Wanderers coach Wayne Tipper.
“Jon Hachey probably played the best game I have ever seen a Wanderer play on offence and Roger Muise played an absolutely outstanding game on defence.”
Muise, a defensive back, was named the game’s most outstanding player.
Mike Thomas and Jon Haines had the other rushing TDs for Saint John. Dan Smith caught a 35-yard Hachey pass to open the scoring in the first quarter.
Dartmouth QB Daniel Williams also had a TD pass and a TD run, and was named the game’s most outstanding offensive player.
“It’s a good feeling to know that you’re champion and undefeated,”
said Hachey.
“We’re the number one team to beat now.”
Hachey said he was confident the team could continue its run into next year, although he knows it will be tough to repeat.
“We know we’re the champions now,”
he said.
“[But] just like for any other team, it’s going to be tough to repeat. They’re all going to be gunning for us.”
Tipper said teamwork and balance were the keys to the team’s championship season.
“There was no area on the football team that was a defined weakness,”
he said.
“The guys just really came together this year and played as a unit.”
Tipper expects all of his players to return next year to defend the MFL title.
“We really see no reason why this Wanderers team can’t continue for the next three- to five-year period,”
he said.