What was an undefeated season is all but forgotten today (Friday), as the Thunder take to the field in a winner-take-all championship game against the Lakeshore Catholic Gators at 12:30 p.m.

"We've had to put our record behind us," said Thunder head coach Brad Hubbard. "It really does come down to one game and it could very easily go one way or another."

The Thunder enter the game with a seven-game winning streak, including a 40-3 victory over Lakeshore last month. Hubbard said his team can't take the Gators lightly, however, as they experienced some injury issues last time the teams met up.

"Lakeshore is the defending champion in this league and will be competitive," said Hubbard. "We've reminded the boys that it's come down to this opportunity to play for the championship. They'll need to focus and just give it 100 per cent each and every play."

That was exactly the game plan in the semifinals, where the Thunder defeated the St. Michael Mustangs 49-0 to clinch the title berth. The Thunder played a balanced game, with the offence gaining 324 yards, while the defence allowed just 86 yards.

Taylor Bodden was a perfect 5-for-5, passing for 107 yards and one touchdown, while Josh Forester scored two running touchdowns and returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown.

Curtis Poos ran in two touchdowns and David Peter Mainse broke an 81-yard touchdown run as well. Mike Pouliot also caught a pass for a 15-yard major.

Defensively Nick Bodden had two sacks and seven tackles, while Ben Courtney and Quinn Reilly each had a sack and three tackles.

Despite the perfect record, the Thunder practiced every day this week to prepare for the Gators. Hubbard said the coaching staff knows where it would like to see some improvement.

"We have to see a little more team discipline," he said. "We've also made it clear that they have to make every play down to the end of the fourth quarter. In the huddle, we refocus ourselves every play no matter what happened - good or bad."

Hubbard admits this season has been a bit of a surprise, despite the goal of making it to the championship.

"I think we've been blessed with good talent. We have a lot of depth, which we haven't had in previous years," he said of the 30-plus Grade 9 and 10 students who form the team. "Best of all, these guys just love to play the game and have fun."

Dedication, Hubbard said, is no problem with the players, and the coaches who come out and donate their time to the team.

Some of the key contributors this season have been Josh Forester, Curtis Poos, Nick Bodden, Taylor Bodden, Finlay Blakelock, Joel Williams, DP Mainse and Miles Morton.

Mainse in particular, said Hubbard, "is probably one of the best rookie players we have had in three or four years."

Should Blessed Trinity win, they will advance to the provincial playoffs. If they lose, they are out.

"For some of the kids, this could be the last Junior football game of their life," Hubbard stressed.

Finlay Blakelock and Nick Bodden are among those. The Grade 10s want to make sure their last taste of Junior football is a successful one.

"It's been pretty awesome this year. We're pretty confident," said Bodden during a practice earlier this week.

"It's not a cocky confidence," explained Blackelock. "I think we all play a lot better because we want to win and know that we can do it."

Blakelock and Bodden give a lot of credit to the coaching staff for this year's success, as well as aggressive defensive tactics.

"We are always out to get the sack and interception," said Blakelock. Both boys said the entire team is psyched to take the field.

"This is our biggest game and we are ready to go," said Bodden.