LANGLEY — Welcome to the Friday Night Lights early edition of Varsity Letters’ weekly B.C. High School Football Report.
Continue to check back with us through the evening as we attempt to provide game reports from each and every football game involving B.C. senior varsity teams.
FRIDAY
TRIPLE A
WESTERN CONFERENCE
CARSON GRAHAM 14 at No. 3 NEW WESTMINSTER 36
NEW WESTMINSTER — Vishaan Narayan’s fumble recovery touchdown just before the half was a spirit-breaker for the North Vancouver’s visiting Carson Graham Eagles.
Narayan’s major, on a night when host and defending AAA Subway Bowl champion New Westminster struggled to find its ideal flow, was a key moment en route to a 22-point win.
“It’s tough giving up a score that close to half and really changes the momentum of the game,” said Eagles’ head coach Brian Brady, whose team had opened the scoring at 6-0 when quarterback Charlie McMillan hit Liam Scott on a 59-yard scoring toss.
Broxx Comia’s 25 yard rushing major, and a 20-yard score from Michael Kingsley put the Hyacks on top 16-6 after the first quarter.
After Narayan’s defensive major took the teams to the half with the Hyacks on top 22-6, Kingsley’s 12-yard run effectively put the game away at 29-6 after three quarters.
New Westminster rushed for 331 yards on the night.
The teams traded touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
McMillian found Scott again, this time on a 22-yard catch-and-run, while Hyacks’ quarterback Kinsale Philip closed the curtain with an 18-yard scoring run.
“A win is always nice but I was very disappointed with our lack discipline, especially early in the game,” said Hyacks head coach Farhan Lalji after New West opened the game by failing to score on its first three drives. “Penalties and a turnover ended some long drives and we didn’t wake up until we fell behind.”
The Hyacks take a reprieve from conference play next week by hosting Abbotsford on Friday. However they have to step it up, says Lalji, because seven straight weeks of conference play will follow.
“Tonight was a stark contrast to where we were a week ago when we took only three penalties against Liberty.,” the coach continued. “If we want to compete with the top teams in our league it will need to improve fast, starting with our leaders.”
“On the positive side, our defence was swarming to the ball all night. Also Michael hit the holes much harder today. He and Broxx complimented each other well. Last week we were more about the pass. Today our rushing attack got going.”
Kinglsey rushed for 137 yds on 14 carries to lead the winning offence. Evan Nolli with nine tackles and a sack for the Hyack defence.
“We knew we were going in to play a physical team and I thought at times we played the style of football we need to to be successful,” said Brady whose team will welcome a South Delta team this coming Friday, one steaming from a lopsided conference-opening-loss to Mt. Douglas today. “Lots of positives to take away. I thought our D played well against the pass. I thought our passing game was good but we need to get the ground game going.”
McMillan went 18-of-32 for 314 yards and two scores in the loss, with Scott’s three catches totalling 111 yards and two majors. Scott also had nine tackles and a sack on defence.
Kinneth Balucos’s six receptions gave him 101 yards. Austin James had five tackles and a sack.
No. 4 SOUTH DELTA 14 at No. 5 MT. DOUGLAS 40
VICTORIA — Gideone Kremler’s answer?
You could say it came unanswered.
Mt. Douglas’ star senior quarterback opened his 2018 high school swan song in early September with a game-closing performance worthy of a Subway Bowl rally in December as the Rams rolled to a decisive win over the visiting South Delta Sun Devils.
After building an 18-0 lead Friday, the Rams found that lead whittled to just 18-14 as the Sun Devils clawed their way back into contention in the key, early Western Conference clash.
Yet when it mattered most, the senior field general would not surrender the advantage of his home field.
Kremler conducted a stirring rally by throwing for three straight majors, and tacking a gulf-like 22 unanswered points on the final score.
His first two majors, 26- and 82-yard TD strikes to Sam Mosky, were each capped with Kremler two-point passing converts (both to Dante Carbone).
Kremler closed the curtain with a 33-yard touchdown pass to Joe Lucas.
“There were many positives to take away from the game but there are also areas needing improvement including taking too many costly penalties,” said Rams head coach Mark Townsend. “The game was actually far closer than the score would indicate as you would expect between these two rivals.”
Mt. Douglas’ 18-0 lead was built on a pair of touchdowns, each with a two point covert, as well as a safety.
Zairech Kremler scored on a 27-yard run and Sebastian Hansen on a 70-yard kick-off return.
Mosky’s three catches went for 118 yards, Zairech Kremler carried 11 times for 88 yards and led the defence with six tackles and a pick. Gideone Kremler passed for 170 yards.
The Rams cross the water to face Handsworth in league play next Friday, while South Delta plays at Carson Graham.
HANDSWORTH 32 at BELMONT 14
VICTORIA — Coming off a short week of prep didn’t hurt the effectiveness of North Vancouver’s visiting Handsworth Royals (1-1).
Putting a season-opening exhibition loss on Labour Day Monday quickly behind them, the Royals came back four days later and were clutch in pulling out a win over the Bulldogs (0-1) in the Western Conference league opener for both teams.
Royals quarterback Ryan Jensen threw for 317 yards and four touchdowns, three to receiver Keelan White and one to Robert Lutman, who also rushed for one score.
White finished with 189 yards in catches, rushed for 85 yards and even threw a 26-yard pass.
Lutman rushed 61 yards and Steele Young had 80 yards in receptions.
White gave Benedet good support on defence with eight tackles.
The road gets very tough for both teams next week.
Handsworth stays at home and greets No. 4-ranked Mt. Douglas on Friday while Belmont is at famed O’Hagan Field a week Saturday to face the Vancouver College Fighting Irish.
NON CONFERENCE
No. 1 LORD TWEEDSMUIR 14 at BURLINGTON (Wash.)-EDISON 0
BURLINGTON — Special teams and defence were the staples Friday for the visitors.
A defence which forced three turnovers and contributed a key touchdown, as well as a punting game which flipped the field on several occasions carried the AAA No. 1-ranked Lord Tweedsmuir Panthers of Surrey to a shutout win stateside.
Before the end of the first half, Yosef Drysdale scored on a 40-yard catch from Trey Jones.
Later, Gareme Godard scored off a 42-yard fumble recovery.
And throughout, punter Terrell Jones kept setting the table for success.
The Panthers stay stateside next week, facing the Lynden Lions on Friday.
ST. THOMAS MORE 35 at NOTRE DAME 0
BURNABY — Dario Ciccone put together a quarterback rating that was off the charts Friday at Burnaby Lakes, and to just boot, he rushed for a touchdown as well.
St. Thomas More’s quarterback went 7-of-10 for 240 yards and four touchdowns as the Knights were stunningly effective against rival Notre Dame.
“Dario Ciccone was red-hot and he connected consistently with several outstanding receivers,” said Jugglers head coach Denis Kelly. “We ran into a talented and well-balanced team, and we were soundly beaten.”
Michael Simone had three receptions for 120 yards and three touchdowns for the winners while Vasco Repole caught three passes for 103 yards and a score.
On the defensive side of the ball, Daniel Auld and linebacker Jack Wagner led all tacklers with six each. Auld added two sacks, while Wagner also had a sack. Sam Steele had four tackles and a sack, while Matthew Lemp had an interception off a batted ball at the line of scrimmage.
“The offense executed very well, while the defense did an outstanding job at the line of scrimmage,” summed STM head coach Steve De Lazzari.
Eastern AAA teams are still two weeks away from the start of conference play.
STM filled a late opening in its schedule for this coming week with a date against visiting AA No. 5 Samuel Robertson Friday at Burnaby Lakes.
Notre Dame, which plays STM to start its season and does not have a typical bye like the rest of the West, jumps into conference play Sept. 15 at Seaquam.
No. 2 TERRY FOX 35 at ABBOTSFORD 7
ABBOTSFORD — They’ll meet again on Oct, 26, and that time around, it will be a game that counts in the standings.
Yet don’t think that the coaching staffs of the Terry Fox Ravens and Abbotsford Panthers didn’t learn a lot about their respective teams and each other in a unique non-conference date between a pair of Eastern Conference rivals.
For the Ravens, ball security will be an issue that gets discussed.
Despite their comfortable margin of victory, Terry Fox put the ball on the carpet six times Friday on a wet night in Abby.
Encouraging from their standpoint?
They kept their composure and battled, playing some quality defence in the process, led by the dual eight-tackle performances of Mike Evans and Liam Stewart.
Cade Cote, meanwhile, stoked the offence, carrying for 147 yards and a pair of scores.
Jaden Severy rushed for 128 yards and two touchdowns, and Liam Cumarasamy also found the end zone.
Double A No. 1 Vernon provides stiff competition one week from Saturday for the host Ravens.
Abbotsford plays at defending B.C. AAA champion New Westminster this coming Friday.
CROSS TIER
LANGLEY 7 at MISSION 6
MISSION — Kori Johnson carried 17 times for 104 yards and scored his team’s lone touchdown as the visiting AA Langley Saints opened their season with a narrow win over the host AAA Mission Roadrunners.
Saints defensive end Harshad Jouhal had seven tackles, including three for a loss, with two sacks, while linebacker Johnson had five tackles, two for negative yardage.
Langley continues its non-conference slate next week with a Friday game in Nanaimo against AA No. 2-ranked John Barsby.
CENTENNIAL 6 at No. 3 BALLENAS 51
PARKSVILLE — Their home field was wet and soggy, but the host Ballenas Whalers didn’t slip up against the Eastern Conference Triple A-visiting Centennial Centaurs.
Whalers’ pivot Ben Chomolok scored on a six-yard sneak to open the scoring, then Scotty Williams recovered the ensuing onside kick, leading to another score.
It set the tone before Centennial even had a chance to touch the ball.
“Overall we were very pleased because our fundamentals were solid and we adjusted to changes without being distracted,” said Ballenas coach Jeremy Conn. “Everyone was able to get significant playing time and we left the game without any real injuries. It’s exciting because we’re looking more balanced than we have in years past. Plus, our defense has good chemistry and is looking aggressive.”
Before the half was over, Chomolok added another TD off a one-yard yard sneak. Tailback Steven Boley, who finished with eight carries for 126 yards, also rushed for a score.
Demar Hohnstein had nine carries for 105 yards including a 55-yard gain off a counter. Kolby Jack also added a six-yard TD run.
In the second half the Whalers tried to pass the ball more and Chomolok found Adrian Friesen on a 10-yard crossing pattern for a touchdown. As well, Hohnstein turned a 35-yard interception into a major.
Jack and Zac Mosher led the defence with five tackles apiece.
Ballenas stays out of conference next week with a game at West Vancouver this Friday, while Centennial takes a bye to prep for its Eastern Conference opener Sept. 21 against visiting, No. 1-ranked Lord Tweedsmuir.
PACIFIC CONFERENCE
EARL MARRIOTT 6 at W.J. MOUAT 41
ABBOTSFORD — Host Mouat has a new home in the Pacific Conference, and judging by the way they played Friday, it just may be home, sweet home.
Sure, they don’t have Lokombo and Irons in the backfield anymore, but they do have Hausermann and Okoko-Chomseng.
Huh?
Nathan Hausermann carried 17 times for 273 yards and Ebiye Okoko-Chomseng 16 times for 132 as the Hawks’ offence kept things on the level in a victory over Surrey’s Earl Marriott Mariners.
“Our game plan was to go after them on the ground, and the weather proved that we weren’t going to be able to do much else,” commented Mouat head coach Travis Bell. “Our line was great. We had first-half turnover trouble with the wet conditions, with three fumbles inside their 10-yard line. That really kept it a ball game at half time. I was proud of our effort, and I thought our defence was dominant, but there’s still plenty to work on as we continue conference play next week.”
Mouat led 15-0 at the half.
Amani Dyck and Okoko-Chomseng each recorded five tackles to lead the Hawks’ defence while Anthony Jaruchik and Everett Carter had four apiece.
ERIC HAMBER 0 at WEST VANCOUVER 35
WEST VANCOUVER — Fall camp didn’t go like clockwork for the host Highlanders, but when they stepped between the lines to open the Pacific Division campaign it all came together.
Quarterback Ben Welsh displayed great efficiency in the offence, going 13-of-16 for 176 yards and a touchdown, while Connor Chapman rushed for 58 yards and a score, all as part of a shutout win over the Tier 2 champion Eric Hamber Griffins of Vancouver.
“The team came together and stepped up to overcome our depth issues,” said West Van head coach Pooya Dourandish, whose roster included just 17 names. “Our players had to step into new roles to help us seal the win.”
First-year kicker Kristen Chan was five-for-five on PATs.
The Griffins had a tough go, playing their first AAA game in program history.
First-year senior Jack Heath, however, wracked up 97 all-purpose yards, while fellow senior Jackson Hannis recorded eight tackles and a pair of deflections from his safety position.
The Highlanders play out-of-conference next week with a Friday date in Parksville against the AA No 3-ranked Ballenas Whalers.
Hamber gets a very tough in test when they travel to Abbotsford to face the W.J. Mouat Hawks in their second conference game of the season.
DOUBLE A
NON-CONFERENCE
ROBERT BATEMAN 40 at CLARENCE FULTON 8
VERNON — Logan McDonald threw four touchdown passes, including one to receiver Sam Davenport, who also scored via the pick-six as the Timberwolves opened their season in style with a win over the Okanagan-based Maroons.
“We were able to move the ball in the air well all game,” said Bateman head coach David Mills whose team led 26-8 at the half. “Our QB and receivers really did a good job today.”
After opening the scoring with a TD pass to Phoenix Moller, McDonald threw a pair of scoring strikes Ryan Sztuhar.
Moller also rushed for a score in the win.
Bateman stays on the road next week when it travels to North Vancouver for the season-opener of the B.C. AA Subway Bowl champion Windsor Dukes.
The Maroons, meanwhile, will renew their annual rivalry at Omak, Wash., on Friday.
SOUTH KAMLOOPS 0 at No. 5 SAMUEL ROBERTSON 8
MAPLE RIDGE — In a battle of Titans, host Samuel Robertson, playing its first-ever game as a provincially-ranked team, made the big plays when they needed them over the final two quarters for a victory over South Kamloops in the season openers for both teams.
SRT pivot Cody Hogarth hit Brayden Hamilton with a pass off a fake punt in the third quarter, and Hamilton took it deep before later punching it in from six yards out for the game’s only touchdown.
SRT also managed a safety.
Late in the contest, a Brock Pelwecki sack jarred the ball loose, and Curtis Farnsworth picked it off in mid-flight for a game-sealing interception.
“The game was played in front of our entire school and it was a great experience for both teams,” said an elated SRT head coach Mark Bailey, whose charges get their toughest test of the season this coming Friday when they continue non-conference play in Burnaby against the Triple A St. Thomas More Knights.
South Kamloops hits the road next week when they play Vanderhoof’s Nechako Valley Vikings on Sept. 15.
