It was a classic ground-and-pound battle between the Vanier Vikings and Swift Current Colts on Saturday at Gutheridge Field.

Both teams combined to complete just three passes, while their running backs posted a total of 583 total rushing yards in the back-and-forth quarterfinal match-up.

Tristan Lockman and the Colts ended up coming out on top with a 33-20 win over league rushing champ Kelton Kouri and the Vikings, advancing to the semifinals for the first time since 2009.

“That was a really tough game, they definitely made a good push in the end, but we came out on top,” said Lockman after rushing for 280 yards and four touchdowns in the win.

Lockman didn't join the Colts until midway through the season, but Swift Current has now gone 3-1, including three straight wins since he took over at tailback.

“This is my first year playing football since bantam, so it's good to be back,” said Lockman. “I didn't expect to be able to run this well, but my size helps a bit and it's been good.”

Kouri finished with 303 yards and three touchdowns in the losing cause for Vanier as just couldn't find enough offence to come away with the win.

“This season was a great experience with a younger team this year as a grade 12, building with these younger kids to get them better for the next few years of their high school career,” said Kouri. “It sucks that mine had to end today on this tough loss.”

Kouri led the league in rushing this season, finishing with 1,239 yards in six games during the regular season, which was the third-highest single season total in league history and first to top 1,200 since David Stevens in 1999.

The Vikings' offence revolved around Kouri this season and he, as well as the team, laid it all on the field to end the year on Saturday.

“I'm very happy with how the offence played with the blocking and how hard they've worked through the entire year and coming out today and giving it all they've got,” said Kouri.

A slow start ended up costing Vanier as they fell behind 13-0 after the first quarter and 27-8 by halftime.

Lockman scored on a 17-yard run during the Colts' opening drive, which Vanier followed up with a fumbled snap that Swift Current was able to recover in Vikings' territory.

It went from bad to worse on the next play as Vanier linebacker Chad Buchko had to be taken off in an ambulance.

“Chad is the heart and soul of our team,” said Vanier head coach Ryan Gottselig. “Kelton had a great game and has been putting up huge numbers every week, but Chad's been the unsung hero for us all year. It hurt us for sure.

“We were in shock for a bit and it took us a bit to get rolling.”

After back-to-back touchdowns by Lockman made 20-0 for Swift Current, Kouri got Vanier on the board with a 57-yard touchdown run with 2:22 to go in the first half.

A fumble by Kouri on Vanier's next drive set up a 24-yard touchdown run by Swift Current quarterback Dalton Christiansen to restore the three-touchdown advantage heading into halftime.

Kouri and Lockman traded touchdowns in the third quarter before Kouri finished off the scoring with a three-yard touchdown with 7:03 to go in the fourth.

Swift Current will now face the three-time defending champion Peacock Tornadoes in the semifinals. Peacock earned a bye to the semis after finishing in first place with a 6-0 record.

Peacock and Swift Current will face off at 1:00pm on Saturday at Gutheridge Field, followed by Central against Yorkton at 3:15pm.