A Winnipeg high school football record, set since 2009, has been broken by two different players.

Garden City’s Ryan Ozunko set the single-season touchdown record in 2009 with 23. Last year, Dakota’s Blake Penner tied that record, and now in 2024, two quarterbacks have topped the mark.

Oak Park’s Kevan Savage is the new record holder with 26 touchdowns, while Dakota’s Rogan Vergata was behind him with 25.

“It’s pretty cool,” Savage said. “As I scored, I went to Tavin (Parani), the guy who scored the touchdown. I gave him a big hug and then I came to the sideline, I was congratulated by the whole team. “

“I’ve been interested in it since 10th grade through college,” Vergata said. “It’s just one of those things that I really wanted.”

Each helped their team to undefeated seasons and lead the league in passing yards: Vergata with 1,653 and Savage with 1,501.

“(Kevan) does a great job getting the ball to the right guy at the right time,” Oak Park head coach Chris Ollson said.

“It’s a pretty cool thing, and again, congratulations to both kids; it’s a pretty historic season,” Dakota head coach Mitchell Harrison said.

Savage said he idolized Peyton Manning as a kid and always wanted to become a quarterback because of it.

“I’m a big Denver Broncos fan, and then he got traded to the Broncos and they won the Super Bowl. So that was kind of my inspiration,” Savage said.

His football journey began with flag football before moving to contact upon arrival in high school.

Savage credits his football IQ as one of the main reasons he has had so much success this year.

“I’m not the biggest, or the tallest. So I kind of have to use that mindset as an added advantage to compete with the competition.”

His coach agrees with Savage, saying his intelligence shines through on and off the field.

“Guys feed off him in the group,” Ollson said. “In his classes, he is an 80 above average student. And the players know that they can count on him to make the right decisions. You just have to calm everyone down in the heat of the moment .”

Ollson called Savage an inspiration to young players.

“They can look at what he did and follow in his footsteps.”

For Vergata, he always wanted to be the starting quarterback for the Dakota Lancers. However, upon his arrival, he had to play other positions as the team already had a few in the system.

So when the opportunity presented itself, he wanted to seize it.

“I think it definitely helped me develop as a player,” Vergata said.

Although his individual numbers stand out, Vergata attributes much of his success to his teammates and coaches.

“I think that’s the Dakota standard. We just have to keep doing what we’re doing. I think that’s a reflection of the coaching, (a) reflection of the tradition here.”

Like Savage, Vergata said he wasn’t the biggest player on the court, so he had to rely on other aspects of his game to be successful.

“My legs play a big role in my games and just extend plays,” he said. “I’m big in the weight room. So I stay fast, I stay agile and I just work on the things I can control.”

Coach Harrison said Vergata’s versatility and leadership has helped the team get to the level it is at now.

“I just think the way he’s able to stay calm under pressure, escape that pressure and continue to play for someone is a really valuable skill set that a lot of teams would like to have in a quarterback -rear,” Harrison said.

Although both players are proud of their accomplishments, they said their main goal is to win a league championship.

Oak Park and Dakota are scheduled to face each other in the semifinals on Thursday, and if they win, they could face each other in the final.

“This whole touchdown thing has got me a little fired up and I’m ready,” Vergata said. “We have to spend this week with Grant Park because he’s a good opponent, but I’m excited about it.”

“If everything goes well, it should be a good fight with him at the championships,” Savage said.

Oak Park will face St. Paul’s while the Lancers will face the Grant Park Pirates in the semifinals.