Metro Bowl

1987

Date: Friday, November 20th

Venue: North York Civic Field, Toronto

Central Tech. Blues defeated Paul Dwyer Saints

Noteworthy:
Only two teams in Metro were undefeated in 1987, namely the Richview Saints (Etobicoke) and St. Michaels College Kerry Blues (TDCCA).  Ironically, both of their leagues declined invitations to play in the Metro Bowl.
Central Tech defeated Leacock in the semi-final game on a fumble recovery in the end zone on the final play of the game.

Semi-finals
(November 17th)

Paul Dwyer 33, A. Y. Jackson 7

Central Tech. 20, Leacock 14

Championship

Central Tech. Blues 20, Paul Dwyer Saints 14

The Toronto Star published the following column by David Grossman on November 21st:

There are times when the pace of competing for a Metro interscholastic championship can rattle you, but not the Central Tech. Blues.

The City of Toronto high school senior football champions came from behind to win their first ever Metro Bowl Invitational trophy.

Not even sub-zero weather conditions, fierce winds or a snow covered field at North York's Civic Stadium could stop the Blues from completing an unforgettable season that saw them beat favoured teams four times.

Central, regarded most of the season as a team just shy of being in the premier class, proved they were the best with a stunning 20-14 victory over Oshawa's Paul Dwyer Saints.

The Blues, again saving their rally for the second half, had to dig into their bag of specialties for the game clinching play. 

Cosby Jackson called a surprise quarterback sneak and ran 11 yards for the winning touchdown with 20 seconds left to play in the game.

"The coach (Chuck Wakefield) sent in the play and they Dwyer were not expecting it." said the 17-year-old rookie senior who scampered into the end zone untouched after his offensive line created a big opening.

"They were keying on our fullback, but what a surprise.  It was a shock going in their (end zone) but a great feeling so late in the game."

Dwyer's Andy Leblanc, who scored two touchdowns for the Durham and York Region champs, got his first major on a three-yard run with only 29 seconds left in the first half.  Felix Neira kicked the convert. 

The Saints appeared firmly in control when Leblanc made it 13-0 well into the third quarter after a 55-yard pass-and-run play from Andrew Oliver to Shane Simpson set up his 10-yard TD run.

But Central's Chris Downs ignited the Blues attack.  He returned the ensuing kickoff into Dwyer's territory and the Blues never looked back.

Paul Ferreira scored a pair of touchdowns inside of five minutes with the second set up by Tony Mandarano's interception of an Oliver pass, to pull the Blues within a point at 14-13.

Central gambled on a two-point convert with 7:11 left in the game but a tough Dwyer defensive line was equal to the task, stopping Ferreira.

"I thought we could get it and, if not, figured we had enough time left to get control of the ball again," said Wakefield.  "The momentum was switching and I thought there was a chance."

The opportunity came when Central punter Steve Mattison kicked a 22-yard single with 2 1/2 minutes left in the game.