The Creighton Kodiaks now sit at 1-2 after a loss to Cumberland House in their home opener.
Despite a late push by the Kodiaks, the undefeated Cumberland House Islanders ruined the party, winning 16-12 in a highly defensive clash.
Creighton opened up the scoring with a field goal and a touchback courtesy of kicker Blake Alexander, making it 4-0 Kodiaks. Cumberland took the lead later in the first quarter with a touchdown and two-point convert. At halftime, the score was 8-4 for Cumberland House.
The Islanders then received a long rushing touchdown from Zaine Fiddler, making it 16-4 after Cumberland House hit another two-point convert.
Later in the third quarter, the Kodiaks finally crossed the plane for the first time. Evan Madarash pounded the rock into the endzone to draw the Kodiaks to within four.
After Cumberland House gave up the ball on downs with minutes to play, the Kodiaks offence went to work. Alexander, by then playing his main role as the team’s quarterback, found teammates for two long stretch passes, first finding Austin McLean, then Noah Dickens for big yardage.
With less than two minutes to go, the Kodiaks got the ball to within nine yards of paydirt, but were held up on third down, turning over the ball to the Islanders and sealing the game.
The Islanders now sit in sole possession of first place in the Northern Saskatchewan Football League standings at 3-0. After losing to Sandy Bay on Sept. 20, Pinehouse drops down to second place, tied with Sandy Bay at 2-1. The Kodiaks now sit in fourth place, tied with Beauval at 1-2 and ahead of La Loche, which is currently winless after three games.
The Kodiaks will play their final regular season home game of the year on Sept. 27 against Pinehouse.
