Photo Credit: Freeze Frame Photos
The 2026 Sault Ste. Marie High School football postseason opened on Thursday, October 22, at Superior Heights, as the first-place St. Mary’s Knights faced the fourth-place White Pines Wolverines in a junior football semi-final contest. The Knights delivered a strong performance on both sides of the football, building an early lead and securing a 45-8 victory to advance to the 2026 Sault Ste. Marie High School Junior Football Final.
St. Mary’s wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. At 10:46 of the opening quarter, Knights quarterback Landon Chiarot connected with Gavyn Nevers on an eight-yard touchdown pass. Tyler Diluzio added the extra point to give St. Mary’s a 7-0 lead.
The Knights continued to apply pressure on the Wolverines. At 9:34 of the first quarter, St. Mary’s defensive back Logan Strachan intercepted a pass from White Pines quarterback Easton Jones and returned the ball 32 yards for a touchdown. Diluzio converted the extra point, extending the Knights’ advantage to 14-0.
St. Mary’s added to its lead at 6:29 of the opening quarter when Diluzio connected on a 14-yard field goal, making the score 17-0.
With just 5.6 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Chiarot found Carter Tait with a three-yard touchdown pass. Tait added a 12-yard carry during the scoring sequence as the Knights increased their lead to 24-0 following another successful conversion from Diluzio.
The Knights carried their momentum into the second quarter. At 4:42, Chiarot connected with Bobby Real on a three-yard touchdown pass into the Wolverines’ end zone. Diluzio once again added the extra point, giving St. Mary’s a commanding 31-0 lead.
After a scoreless stretch, the Knights continued their offensive production in the third quarter. At 4:59, St. Mary’s quarterback Emmett Thomson connected with Cohen Kellar on a 22-yard pass. Kellar bobbled the ball twice before completing a 44-yard run for the touchdown, extending the Knights’ lead to 45-0 after Diluzio added the conversion.
White Pines continued to compete and finally broke through at the eight-minute mark of the third quarter. Wolverines quarterback Easton Jones delivered an eight-yard pass to Korbin Lesage, who completed a 44-yard touchdown run to put White Pines on the scoreboard. Jones then connected with Nevers for the two-point conversion, bringing the score to 45-8.
The Knights maintained their advantage for the remainder of the contest, earning a 45-8 semi-final victory and booking their place in the junior football championship game.
Knights Lead Offensive Effort
St. Mary’s received contributions from several players throughout the contest. Will Bryson recorded a 54-yard offensive gain, while Aiden Dacosta led the Knights in receiving production with 95 total yards in catches. Quarterback Landon Chiarot finished with 78 passing yards while connecting with multiple targets in the Knights’ scoring attack.
For White Pines, Landon Belleau led the Wolverines’ rushing production with 16 yards. Gavyn Nevers recorded 86 receiving yards, while quarterback Easton Jones finished with 127 passing yards. Despite the final score, the Wolverines continued to work offensively and found the end zone in the third quarter.
Defensive Contributions
The Knights also received important contributions from their defensive unit. Alexander Wassef led St. Mary’s with four tackles, while Chance Chiblow and Russell Pine recorded three tackles apiece. Strachan’s interception return for a touchdown provided a significant early boost and helped the Knights establish control of the semi-final.
For White Pines, Gavyn Nevers and Jackson Belleau each recorded three tackles, while Cain Sayers-Pine finished with two tackles as the Wolverines worked to contain the Knights’ offensive attack.
Knights Await Junior Final Opponent
With the semi-final victory, St. Mary’s will now prepare for the 2026 Sault Ste Marie High School Junior Football Final on Thursday, October 29.
The Knights will face either the Superior Heights Steelhawks or the Korah Colts, who are scheduled to meet on Friday, October 23, in the other junior semi-final. Kickoff is set for 4:45 p.m.
Following their convincing victory over White Pines, the Knights will look to carry their momentum into the championship game as they pursue the 2026 Sault Ste. Marie high school junior football title.
