Handsworth Royals' star receiver and defensive back Keelan White made an impact despite a loss to Burlington-Nelson in a Labour Day clash on the North Shore. (File photo by Blair Shier property of Blair.photo)
Feature High School Football

09.03.18 Labour Day bonus high school football edition: Despite White’s pick-6, Handsworth in tough

Alberta had its traditional CFL Labour Day Classic today. Over on the North Shore, a little Labour Day football was also being played. Here’s our holiday Monday bonus report, with an additional look at a late-reported game from Friday.

Terry Fox's Eric Polan was a nemesis against Concrete High on Friday. His Ravens won big and Polan finished with 12 tackles including four sacks. (File photo by Howard Tsumura property of VarsityLetters.ca)
Feature High School Football

09.01.18 Saturday morning edition: Varsity Letter’s B.C. High School Football Report

Welcome to the Saturday morning edition of Varsity Letters. Coaches were plagued with tough conditions to file reports Friday, all coming off 7 p.m. starts in Washington state with return trips pending. No mulligans next week, so we hope to be able to bring you the best picture possible this coming Friday night.

New Westminster opened defence of its 2017 AAA Subway Bowl title with a loss at Liberty (Wash.) High on Friday, getting its scores from quarterback Kinsale Philip (left) and Broxx Comia (right). (File photo by Alan Wardle courtesy New Westminster Hyacks)
Feature High School Football

08.31.18 Friday Night Lights edition: Local teams head south in 2018’s first B.C. High School Football Report

Welcome to 2018’s first edition of Varsity Letter’s B.C. High School Football Report. Week O’s annual limited opening Friday slate captures a select number of B.C. teams in non-conference action south of the line.

After stops at Seaquam, Queen's, UBC and New Westminster, Gord Randall has shot for the stars as new head coach at Surrey's Sullivan Heights Secondary. (Photo by Howard Tsumura property of VarsityLetters.ca)
Feature High School Football

The Stars align! Rookie head coach Gord Randall has learned from the best en route to start-up launch at Sullivan Heights

SURREY — Launching a high school football program is not unlike attempting to create your own gridiron galaxy, complete with so much heavy lifting through the launch phase that the small touches which represent the genesis of team tradition can almost seem like insignificant specks.

Even during stationary drills, like this one last Thursday at Simon Fraser, Clan junior receiver Rysen John is the picture of focus. (Photo by Howard Tsumura property of VarsityLetters.ca)
Feature High School Football University Football

Rysen John: Checking in on the rise of the Simon Fraser Clan’s charismatic junior wide receiver

BURNABY — He boasts a given name which, in the musical hands of a Sunday morning gospel choir, could come out sounding pretty darn inspirational. Rysen… Rysen… Rysen.

New UBC Thunderbirds' tight end Blake Whiteley has been working off the rust after an injury-filled career with the Texas Longhorns as the fourth-year former West Van star returns to live duty this Saturday at home to Manitoba. (Photo by Richard Lam property of UBC athletics)
Feature High School Football University Football

Blake Whiteley: An epic comeback underway at UBC as West Van tight end looks to shake years of rust, injury at Texas with hometown Thunderbirds

VANCOUVER — It’s no easy task to spend the years of a college football life in anonymity when you stand 6-foot-5, tip the scales at 248 pounds, and own an on-field intangible that those in the sport label as ‘a presence.’

Former W.J. Mouat Hawks' star lineman Sheriden Lawley is greeted by his new head coach, UBC's Blake Nill, as fall camp is underway for the Thunderbirds. (Photo by Richard Lam property of UBC athletics)
Surrey's AAA No. 1-ranked Lord Tweedsmuir Panthers are exercising caution as fall camp opened around the province to hazy skies. (Varsity Letters file photo by Howard Tsumura)
Feature High School Football

B.C. high school football teams open fall camp practicing caution due to province’s poor air quality

SURREY — High school football players in this province were all excited about the start of fall camp on Monday, with opening week set to kick-off in 10 days.

This past season's Oct. 21 clash in Surrey between Holy Cross (red) and visiting Windsor showcased quarterback recruits for both SFU (Nate Hunt, with ball) and UBC (Ryan Baker, 8). (Photo by Howard Tsumura property of VarsityLetters.ca)
Feature High School Football University Football

Varsity Letters’ B.C. Recruits List 2018: Where 111 football prospects are headed this coming season

LANGLEY — Welcome to Day 2 of B.C. Recruits List Week here at Varsity Letters. As we mentioned yesterday, we’ll be previewing a sport a day through this week with the entire list set for Sunday publication. Wednesday is football day!