Fresh off a strong run through the Sault Ste. Marie city playoffs, the Korah Colts enter the NOSSA final confident for a Saturday, November 8th in Sudbury versus the Confederation Chargers, focused, and battle-tested. Head coach Tom Annett credits his team’s maturity and thorough preparation heading into Saturday’s showdown, recognizing the challenge ahead while embracing the moment.
The Colts know they are about to face a well-coached and highly capable opponent. Confederation is coming off an impressive NOSSA semifinal victory — one that instantly captured Korah’s attention. With that in mind, the Colts have spent the week studying film and sharpening their approach.
“Our team knows this is a very talented and well-coached opponent,” the coach said. “They had a very convincing win in the NOSSA semifinals. Our athletes are very excited for the challenge. Our team has been studying Confederation game film extensively and we had a great week of practice.”
Preparation has been detailed, particularly because the two teams share similar offensive styles. Both use Wing-T concepts, though Korah’s attack has evolved significantly this season.
“They run an offense similar to ours,” the coach explained. “They’re a run-dominant team with a very talented offensive backfield. Bottom line, we need to stop the run and prevent big plays from their running backs.”
Defensively, Korah is prepared for versatility. But offensively, they’re confident in continuing what has made them successful all season: a balanced and adaptable approach featuring the strong play of quarterback Brett Koski and a deep receiving group.
“While our offense still has strong roots in the Wing-T, it has grown to be very multiple this year,” he said. “We’ve thrown the ball very well with Koski and a talented receiving core, and we’ve expanded our formations in the run game.”
Beyond tactics, the program’s long-established legacy remains a quiet force behind the Colts’ mindset. Korah has enjoyed NOSSA success for years, but the coach credits the players for staying grounded through their commitment to preparation.
“Our athletes have done a great job focusing on the process rather than the outcomes,” he noted. “We find inspiration from the legacy of our program. We tell our athletes to ‘stand on the shoulders of giants’ and remind them that the legacy of the Korah jersey is more intimidating than any opponent.”
With travel and weather potential factors this time of year, the Colts are taking no chances. The team will arrive in Sudbury the night before to settle in and be physically ready.
“As for the weather, it will be cold, but the forecast is dry,” he said. “We believe our offense is weather-proof. Our athletes have competed in worse conditions. We focus only on the controllables — that’s part of our TPW culture.”
As game day approaches, the coaching staff continues to remind the players of the pride that comes with representing Sault Ste. Marie — one of the country’s premier high-school football environments.
“We will rely on our big-game experience,” he said. “We need to play our game and continue to show resiliency whenever adversity strikes. It is an honor to represent the city. We see the pressure as a privilege. In our program, we say, ‘No pressure, no diamonds.’”
With preparation complete and confidence rising, the Colts head into the NOSSA final united by experience, culture, and a legacy built by those who came before. Now, it’s their turn to carry the torch.
