OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, October 30, 2009 · 40 Football finals will be at Mac For the first time in three decades, Halton Secondary School Athletic Association (HSSAA) football championship games won't be contested at Hamilton's Ivor Wynne Stadium. This year's five HSSAA pigskin finals will be played at McMaster University's Ron Joyce Stadium after a booking mixup with the City of Hamilton made the home of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats unavailable. HSSAA convener Darrin Curtis, who initially booked Ivor Wynne in June, was surprised when he called last week to confirm his reservations and was told he had none. According to a City of Hamilton employee, the booking was never entered. The woman with whom Curtis reserved the stadium either quit or lost her job a week later. That left Curtis scrambling for venues to play the three senior and two junior finals. He's more than happy to end up with the 5,500-seat stadium at McMaster. "I think it's a better facility," Curtis said. "It saved our butts because I don't know what else we would have done." Other options included the artificial turf fields at four Halton Catholic high schools (Burlington's Assumption, Notre Dame and Corpus Christi, and Milton's Bishop Reding), but seating at those fields was either limited or non-existent. Curtis said the finals typically draw 1,000 fans from each school involved. The Halton senior Division 1 final is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 5. The Holy Trinity Titans, Oakville's only team in senior Division 1, would play in that game if they can beat the Nelson Lords in today's (Friday's) semifinal round. The senior Division 2 and 3 finals are slated for Wednesday, Nov. 18. Junior Division 1 and 2 finals will be played Friday, Nov. 20. -- Jon Kuiperij Wildcats' commitment impresses coach Continued from page 39 ish in the midget boys' race. White Oaks qualified both its midget boys' and junior girls' teams. Fifth- and sixth-place finishes by Andrew Harries and Connor Bevington paced their team's second-place finish. Joining them will be Oliver Kearns (16th), Jonathan Stamper (21st) and alternate Scott Presswood (51st). "They're all pretty solid runners but it's really their commitment (that stands out)," said Wildcats coach Shannon Lord. "They are at every single practice." White Oaks edged T.A. Blakelock 58-65 for the second team spot in the junior girls' division. Melissa Silliphant led the way with a seventh-place finish and was helped out by Melanie Emmerson (12th), Alex Abrahams (17th), Emily Spratt-Johnson (22nd) and alternate Michelle Koh (23rd). White Oaks finished second to Abbey Park, who placed three runners in the top 10. Making up the Eagles team are Sarah Brennan (fifth), Megan Donati (sixth), Mika Spencer (ninth), Haley Thomson (13th) and Kate Wickham (16th). T.A. Blakelock's junior boys' team also qualified, paced by top-10 finishes by Berkin Cetin (ninth) and Trevor Hoff (10th). The Tigers will also send Noah Vrooman (23rd), Darcy Schnarr (24th) and Max Ivanov (25th). Blakelock's Sasha Boulton finished in the cruelest of positions. She was fourth in the junior girls' race but with no runners from a qualifying team ahead of her, she did not qualify. She was the only top-five finisher from all the races to not earn an OFSAA berth. Other top finishers at GHAC included: Jade Johnson, Abbey Park (6th, senior girls); Erin Queenan, King's Christian Collegiate (8th, senior girls); Kyle Klassen, King's Christian Collegiate (8th, junior boys); Brooke Johnston, Abbey Park (9th, senior girls); Angus Scott, Oakville Trafalgar (9th, midget boys); Claire Segeren, Iroquois Ridge (10th, junior girls). The Junior League of Hamilton-Burlington, Inc. 27th Annual Holiday HouseofTour homes distinctive Join us for the 27th Annual Holiday House Tour Hamilton Burlington Tour of beautiful Hamilton & && Hamilton of beautiful Burlington Burlington homes decorated for the holidays byby the holidays by decorated for the holidays over 40 design professionals over 40 design professionals professionals Celebrity & Guest Greeters "An Appetizing Event" cooking classes Event" cooking classes withAppetizing Event"(additional ticket Liason College cooking classes with "An Liaison College (additional option College (additional 4th) Nov. 4th) Liaisonpurchased by Nov. ticket option) Friday, November 13, 2009 10:00 am - 9:00 pm Saturday, November 14, 2009 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Sunday, November 15, 2009 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Tour of Homes - $20 in Advance / $25 at the Door "An Appetizing Event" - $15 For tickets and more info visit www.juniorleague.ca Special discounts for Holiday House Tour guests are available at participating restaurants. The Junior League of Hamilton-Burlington, Inc. Holiday House Tour of Distinctive Homes event brochure is posted on www.juniorleague.ca. Additional copies will be available at the Tour. Children under 12 do not require a ticket. Homes are not wheelchair accessible. Your support helps the JLHB create lasting positive changes in our community.