The Windsor Dukes claimed the provincial AA football title with a 44-29 win over the Abbotsford Panthers Saturday at BC Place.
The Dukes trailed 15-8 late in the first half - their first score coming on a 68-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ryan Baker to Ben McMichael - but blew the game wide open with an incredible string of plays near the end of the second quarter, scoring 21 points in a little more than three minutes to take a commanding lead heading into the break. Baker, the AA MVP this season, started the barrage with a short touchdown run to cap off a long drive. The Dukes then recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff and Baker scored again, this time rushing from 33 yards out.
Incrediby, the Dukes recovered a fumble on the next kickoff as well, with Julien Perri capping off a short drive with a rushing touchdown to give Windsor a 29-15 lead at the break.
Abbotsford opened the scoring in the second half to make it 29-22 but Windsor responded quickly, with Sean Werbowski hauling in a 57-yard touchdown pass from Baker. The quarterback then extended the lead to 44-22 with his third rushing touchdown of the day, this time from 49 yards out.
The clock then ran out on an Abbotsford comeback, leaving Windsor to celebreate their first provincial title since 2005. The win capped off a perfect 10-0 season for the Dukes, lead by head coach Jim Schuman. Baker finished the final with five touchdowns, three on the ground and two through the air.
