The Delta talent pipeline has helped the Calgary Dinos capture their first Vanier Cup in 24 years.
With a roster that features six graduates from city high schools, Calgary secured national university football bragging rights with a 27-13 victory over the Montreal Carabins on Saturday in Quebec City.
Former Seaquam star receiver Jalen Philpot had four catches for 114-yards, including his team’s opening touchdown from 13-yards out in the second quarter. His twin brother Tyson added four receptions for 52-yards. The boys are sons of former B.C. Lion standout Cory Philpot.
On the defensive side of the ball it was another big day for South Delta Sun Devil grad Grant McDonald. The third-year Canada West all-star linebacker led all Calgary players with five solo tackles and six more assisted.
Fellow SDSS grad and starting linebacker Charlie Moore saw his afternoon cut short when he left the game in the first half with an upper body injury. Second-year linebacker and 2018 SDSS grad Jacob Kirk was credited with a tackle.
The Sun Devil continent also included co-captain and fifth-year receiver Jack McDonald who saw his season cut short after injuring his knee against UBC back in September.
The Dinos did all of their scoring in the second and fourth quarters while holding the Quebec champion Carabins to just one touchdown and a pair of field goals to raise the championship trophy on the campus of Université Laval, the scene of so much heartbreak for the program over the past dozen years.
“I was there in '95 as a part of the staff. We have been back a few times and come up short each time," said Dinos head coach Wayne Harris. “Now, we finally got the win, and we're very happy for all the people in our organization – players, coaches, the university, the fans, supporters back home. And thank you to the people of Quebec for treating us so well all week.
"Through everything that they went through this year, I'm extremely proud. They battled through so much adversity. When camp opened up I knew we had a pretty good team, but then we had a bunch of injuries and I didn't know if we were going to last the year. The guys just kept battling and fighting through it and got the win today…and I think that adversity helped."
In his final university game, quarterback Adam Sinagra was named winner of the Ted Morris Memorial Trophy as the game's MVP, completing 22 of 28 passes for 292 yards and two touchdowns.
