LANGLEY — Welcome to Week 6 of the B.C. High School football season.
The B.C. High School Football Report has been informed of four scheduled games which will not be played this weekend.
Friday’s New Westminster at Seaquam, and Abbotsford at Terry Fox games have gone into the books as forfeiture victories for both the visiting Hyacks and host Ravens.
As well, Nanaimo District has forfeited its Saturday game against Earl Marriott.
The Saturday game between Sardis and Frank Hurt, scheduled for Bear Creek Park, is being re-scheduled.
Records for all team reports below reflect their win-loss in conference games only.
With all of that said, keep checking back on this posting throughout the evening for updates of games being played around the province.
FRIDAY
AAA WEST
No. 2 MT. DOUGLAS 7 at No. 3 NOTRE DAME 26
BURNABY — B.C.’s most decorated high school football program has only been waiting for what seems like forever to play a game on it own school grounds.
Next week, the Notre Dame Jugglers are finally going to be able to do just that with the opening of their own turf field complex.
And the best part of all?
They’ll be doing it with as much momentum as they’ve had in recent memory.
No. 3 Notre Dame conceded its first points of the season but answered by scoring all its points in unanswered fashion as the Jugglers (6-0, 4-0 Western Conference) beat Victoria’s visiting Mt. Douglas Rams (5-1, 3-1) at the Burnaby Lake Sports Complex.
“Notre Dame played a brilliant game,” said Rams’ head coach Mark Townsend. “They out-played and out-coached us in every aspect of the game. And their defense was well prepared. Fast and tenacious.”
On Friday, highlighted performances from what was a genuine team victory were turned in by two seniors: Quarterback/rush end Aiden Domino and wide receiver/cornerback Antonio Conte.
After Mt. Douglas’ running back Miltiadis Koulelis opened the scoring on a six-yard carry, the Jugglers responded quickly with a game-tying touchdown drive of their own, capped by Domino’s five-yard run and kicker Noah Banco’s conversion.
Throughout the second quarter, Notre Dame’s defense started to control the game, constantly making big tackles for little gain and pressuring Mt. Douglas’ senior quarterback Hunter Swift on many occasions.
The end result?
Notre Dame was able to start drives with very favourable field position, and they would cash in with a 15-yard scoring strike from Domino to Conte who made a brilliant catch en route to a 14-7 lead.
On the next Mt. Doug possession, Conte, from his right corner position, intercepted a Swift pass and just before the half, returned it to the Rams 10-yard line. From there, Domino bulled his way home from a yard out for a 20-7 halftime lead.
The third quarter saw both teams struggle moving the ball. The Jugglers finally mounted a drive highlighted by first, Domino’s 20-yard run, and then his 24-yard scoring pass, again to Conte. A failed two-point conversion left the score 26-7.
In addition to Conte’s pick, defensive lineman Phillip Marin had a fumble recovery and corner Anthony Amenta had an interception of his own.
“We are really happy with the performance of our team this afternoon,” stated Kelly. “This is a big shot in the arm for our program and sets us up for a big second half of the schedule.”
Precisely, it means the Jugglers will open their new field at 3 p.m. this coming Friday when the New Westminster Hyacks come calling.
New Westminster improved to 3-1 in the West after it gained a forfeiture win from the Seaquam Seahawks.
Things don’t get any easier for the Rams, who play host to the No. 1-ranked and undefeated Vancouver College Fighting Irish in a 1 p.m. kick-off this coming Friday at Royal Athletic Park. The Irish first play at home Saturday (1:30 p.m.) against Belmont.
The Mt. Douglas offense was led by the bruising Koulelis who in addition to scoring his team’s only touchdown, carried for 71 yards.
On defense for the Rams, Morgan Steves had seven tackles followed by Sebastian Sibbald with six tackles and Gjin Gashi with five. Bronson Pheiffer was solid in the Rams secondary and had an interception.
“Losing is part of the process for improving, and we are going to roll up our sleeves and prepare for another extremely challenging game,” said Townsend of the Irish.
NEW WESTMINSTER 15 at SEAQUAM 0
NORTH DELTA — Seaquam (0-4) has forfeited this game to New Westminster (3-1).
AAA EAST
SOUTH DELTA 13 at ST. THOMAS MORE 0
BURNABY — Sun Devils’ quarterback Kenny Scott hit Declan Dunn with a pair of touchdown strikes in the second and fourth quarters to provide all of the offensive fireworks on a wet night at Burnaby Lake.
“It was a war on the field and there was nothing pretty about the game,” said South Delta head coach Ray Moon after his Sun Devils (1-3) won their first conference game of the campaign against the host and winless St. Thomas More Knights (0-4), the latter enduring a host of penalties throughout the game. “It was just two teams fighting hard to try and get a victory on a glum, wet rainy night. There was a lot of hard hitting and a no-quit attitude and I call that a good win for South Delta.
Trent Clisby led the shutout defence with eight tackles, two sacks and a pick. Josh Cloete added seven tackles, Matt McPhie six tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery, and Ben Holmes six more stops of his own.
Dunn finished with five catches for 154 yards. Scott went 8-of-20 for 235 yards.
“I loved our battle level and intensity,” said St. Thomas More head coach Jared Power. “We have really tough kids and I’m proud of their refusal to go down without a fight. But, we aren’t a good enough team to take the penalties we did and expect to win.”
Take athose away and there was a lot to like about an STM ground game that put up big numbers but got no reward.
“We ran the ball for about 200 yards… the best all season,” began Power. “But, we probably gave up more than that in penalties. We’ll lick our wounds and have to come with better discipline if we are going to see success next week.”
Marco Giovanozzo had 19 carries for 131 yards and Josh Faria had 15 carries for 51 yards.
On defense, Quinn Walters had four tackles and a fumble recovery, while Jeffery Pacholko had six tackles.
W.J. MOUAT 6 at LORD TWEEDSMUIR 34
SURREY — The host Panthers (3-1) came ready to play a true rainy-day football game.
A key early fumble recovery which led to quarterback McCord Leeson’s 11-yard touchdown strike to Nate Swing got the scoring underway, and before it was done, Lord Tweedsmuir’s special teams would add two more majors as part of a convincing win over Abbotsford’s visiting Hawks (2-2)
“Offensively, this was our best rushing game of the year,” said Hawks’ head coach Andrew Harder, who got a combined 173 yards along the ground from quarterback Caden Martens (16 carries, 97 yards) and running back Zac Badke (12 for 76),” but we struggled with fumbling issues in the rain and we had poor play on special teams.”
Jayden Martin’s 59-yard punt return touchdown gave the Panthers a 13-0 halftime lead.
LT’s Jayden Bailey returned the opening kick-off of the second half 80 yards for a 20-0 lead, before running back Reggie Elie made it 27-0 with a 25-yard touchdown run.
The two quarterbacks handled the scoring the rest of the way.
After Martens broke the silence with a five-yard run, Leeson went over the goal line from a yard out.
Defensively for the Panthers, Dallas Weismiller and Elie each had one while Noah Brooks and Trace Johnston each made fumble recoveries.
For Mouat, Sirin An made five tackles and ran back an interception 64 yards to the Tweedsmuir 20-yard line.
Austen Berry, in his first game back from injury, made nine tackles.
KELOWNA 0 at CENTENNIAL 24
COQUITLAM — The resurgence of the Centaurs under head coach Dino Geremia continued Friday at Percy Perry Stadium.
Centennial (2-2) moved into a tie for fourth place in the East with W.J. Mouat, whom it faces this coming week, following its shutout win over the visiting Owls (1-3).
“I was proud of our effort for four quarters,” said Geremia. “It was the first game we were able to put that effort forward for a full game.”
Markrus Rafnson scored a defensive touchdown, the senior linebacker going 36 yards for the score. As well, the Centaur defence came away with two safeties.
Quarterback Malcolm Cameron threw a 15-yard touchdown to Connor Jones, while Tamani Duncan rushed 18 times for 110 yards, including one he took 57 yards to the end zone.
Jones also shone on defence with two interceptions and four tackles from his spot in the linebacking core.
Matthew Andalis registered two sacks.
The Owls’ quarterback Joey Howorko was unable to dress and thus versatile Jaeke Schlachter was conscripted to take the snaps.
“I’m proud of Jaeke stepping in to do what was needed for his team,” said Owls head coach Chris Cartwright. “He’s an athlete who you can put in different spots. I’m proud for the effort he gave to try and get things going.”
Jack Nyrose lead the Kelowna defense with 13 tackles.
“Jack has really progressed this season as he’s leading by example on the field,” said Cartwright.
MISSION 7 at No. 5 G.W. GRAHAM 46
CHILLIWACK — When the rains started to fall at Exhibition Stadium, more and more it became one of those nights for Grizzlies’ running back Samuel Mannes to do his thing.
Mannes, however, was injured and out of the line-up Friday for the Grizzlies, so despite the atmospheric conditions, head coach Luke Acheson leaned on quarterback Lucas Feaver to be more of a slinger.
It worked.
Feaver went 10-of-19 for 206 yards and four touchdowns as G.W. Graham (4-0) topped Mission (0-4), winning its seventh straight overall to begin the season.
Feaver’s favourite target on the night was receiver Tyson Kelly who had four receptions for 81 yards and three touchdowns. Fellow receiver Josh Caverly added 65 yards and a TD on just three receptions.
“It wasn’t the best conditions out there for throwing the ball but our guys made some clutch catches despite the elements” remarked Acheson. “TK (Tyson Kelly) was phenomenal tonight – sure hands and fighting off tacklers for great yards after the catch. He’s a top-five receiver in AAA football and he showed it tonight – his best night of the year.”
Running back Gage O’Neill carried the ball 11 times for 87 yards and a major in relief of Mannes.
“It is great to be able to have that “next man up” attitude on this team – we are fortunately deep at the skill positions – Gage was very tough and filled in for Sam very capably,” added Acheson.
On defense, some of the regular themes emerged – notably that rush end Vinny Branauer had seven tackles, a pair of sacks and a fumble recovery over an evening in which he was a frequent visitor to the Mission backfield.
Yet it was 6-foot-3, 315 pound defensive tackle Colton Mocon who delivered the highlight of the night with a four-yard pick six in the first quarter at a time when the Grizzlies had the Roadrunners pinned in close to their end-zone.
“I honestly did not know the big man had such soft hands!” joked defensive coordinator Ian Parks. “We expect it from Mastin (linebacker Raiden Mastin who also had a 25-yard pick-six in the third quarter) but not Colton.”
Mocon added three tackles and was typically stout for the Grizzlies on the defensive line.
Mastin also had five tackles and one tackle for a loss. Linebacker Carter Dallas was outstanding for the Grizzlies on special teams with two kickoff returns for 87 yards. Tyson Kelly also had a fumble recovery for the Grizzlies.
AA COASTAL
No. 2 ROBERT BATEMAN 7 at No. 1 LANGLEY 13
LANGLEY —Just moments after the Langley Thunderbirds had retained their hold on the No. 1 ranking in B.C. AA high school football with a 13-7 win over visiting, No. 2-ranked Robert Bateman of Abbotsford, ‘Birds head coach Mark Wyse approached Timberwolves head coach David Mills in a post-game show of respect following a battle of two heavyweights.
“I was really feeling that saying from Rocky, so I told him ‘I just want to say there ain’t gonna be no rematch,’” Wyse said of the famed Apollo Creed line, one the fictional character uttered out of an intense respect for his opponent.
“He told me ‘Yeah, what else could we have asked for?’” added Wyse, “and he’s right. It was a heck of a football game between two great teams. Then I started thinking well, there might be a rematch after all.”
Maybe in December with a Subway Bowl B.C. title on the line, perhaps?
Could happen.
“Well… that game lived up to expectations,” said Mills. “Langley came hard out of the gates. But I am so proud of our team for showing heart and resilience again and battling all the way to the final whistle.”
No one wanted to give an inch and that was plain to see for anyone who happened to be in the stands at McLeod Stadium.
Langley managed just two drives the entire first half, but both were extended ones, the first capped by quarterback Jordan Williams’ one-yard sneak.
The extra-point, however, was blocked by Bateman defensive end Quan Michaels.
Bateman answered with a drive of their own but the Thunderbirds came through on a goal-line stand, getting a stop on fourth-and-one and then used that momentum to put together what would stand as the winning 99-yard drive.
Running back Ryan Goeson, who carried 17 times for 109 yards, broke away on a long run to cap the drive and make it 13-0 at the half.
In the third quarter, Bateman got on the board when quarterback Nolan Watrin hit AJ Nguyen with a touchdown pass.
After forcing a couple of punts, Bateman took over with four minutes to go on their own 20-yard line, and although they got down to the Langley 15-yard line, a fourth-down pass attempt was knocked away by the T-Birds’ Taylor Bear.
“Our defense allowed their first points of the season against a very talented and well-coached Bateman team but we were able to do what we needed to do at the end of the game to close things out and leave with the win,” said Langley offensive coordinator Joseph Macleod. “A lot of credit goes to the Bateman coaching staff for putting together a solid game-plan. Their defense executed.”
Clearly, the Bateman defence’s second-half shutout will be a major plotline should the two meet somewhere along the Subway Bowl playoff road.
“In their first three games, Langley’s offence has exploded in the second half and today we were able to shut them out in the second half,” said Mills. “We had our chances to win the game. In the end, Langley made one or two more plays than we did. Kudos to them.”
Langley receiver Aaron Linden finished with two catches for 36 yards and four carries for 34 more. Linebacker Reece Griffiths led the defence with eight tackles, while fellow ‘backer Morse had four more.
No. 5 BALLENAS 16 at WINDSOR 0
NORTH VANCOUVER — Ballenas Whalers assistant coach Jeremy Conn summed up the conditions which blustered and in the process flustered all manner of offences Friday across the province.
“Neither team could sustain drives today,” Conn said, “because the defenses were as good as the weather was bad.”
So apropos.
Yet in the end, the Whalers (3-2) had enough gumption to get past the Dukes (0-4).
Ballenas took the lead in the first quarter when Jonah Anderson blocked a punt to set the Whalers up on the Windsor 24-yard line.
Quarterback Ryker Sansbury would score on a two-yard keeper and Ayden Chambers added the two-point convert.
In the second half, the Whalers were driving on fourth-and-one, but instead of sneaking up the middle, Sansbury went outside the pocket and found himself scrambling for a 30-yard touchdown. Sansbury, who finished the game with nine rushes for 75 yards, followed by adding the two-point conversion.
The Ballenas defence kept the pressure on Windsor and never allowed them time to throw. Enzo Agostini led the team with six tackles and two fumble recoveries. Kooper Chambers had five tackles.
Ayden Chambers has 80 rushing yards on 17 carries.
“A win is a win, and the kids made some good adjustments this week to shut down the Windsor O but we need to be more disciplined and execute better no matter what the weather is like,” added Conn as No. 2-ranked Bateman provides next week’s opposition within its cozy Parksville confines.
ARGYLE 15 at No. 5 CARSON GRAHAM 20
NORTH VANCOUVER — If one Nemeth wasn’t enough, now they’ve got two.
While senior Aidan Nemeth went over the 400-yard mark in receiving yards for the season on Friday in helping lead the Eagles (4-1) past the crosstown rival Pipers (1-4), it was little brother Fin Nemeth who wound up making the play of the game.
The Grade 10 Nemeth, fresh off a two-touchdown performance in helping the Eagles’ JV to a 40-38 win over Argyle on Wednesday, found himself on the receiving end of a two-yard game-winning TD pass from quarterback Logan Mellish with under a minute remaining. The major was the younger Nemeth’s first-ever senior varsity touchdown.
Oh, there was the small matter of the Eagles turning the ball over six times, normally a recipe for disaster.
Carson Graham head coach Brian Brady is sure to address those ills come practice Monday.
In Friday’s post-game, however, he was appreciating the positive that come with pulling out a last-minute win behind a JV call-up receiver.
“Pretty disappointed with all of our turnovers but proud of our resolve despite giving the ball away so frequently,” said Brady. “Our defence was physical and flowed really well to the ball.
“But for the second week we’ve played below our potential and had to put it together at the end. A bye week gives us a great opportunity to heal up and continue to grow as a team.”
Nonethless, the combo of quarterback Mellish and running back Logan Fink was formidable as it combined to rush for 320 yards.
Mellish rushed 23 times for 154 yards while passing for 72 yards and a score, but was picked off twice by the Pipers.
Fink carried 24 times for 166 yards and two touchdowns
On defence, Josh Metz and Vytor Oliveira each made nine tackles, while Charlie Huntingford and Aleksandar Wallace had two sacks each. Dylan Seiler came out of the secondary to make an interception.
INTERIOR AA
SOUTH KAMLOOPS 7 at No. 3 VERNON 6
VERNON — The South Kamloops Titans have a good sense for drama.
Trailing a host Vernon Panthers team which had not lost a league game in a decade, Titans’ running back Toryn Fraser scored on a 20-yard run to tie the score before Jason Peters added the PAT which proved to be the difference.
The Panthers would have two more opportunities to take the lead in the final minutes, however, despite getting into South Kam territory both times, came up empty handed.
“South Kam played great defensively and was able to limit us to one score on the day,” said Vernon head coach Sean Smith. “You’re not going to win many high school games putting it in the end zone once. Offensively we continued a season-long trend of putting ourselves in bad down-and-distance situations with penalties, drops and negative plays. We had 14 plays where we went backwards – it’s hard to overcome that.”
After a scoreless opening stanza, the Panthers struck first when pivot Jake Farrell hit a streaking Mitchell Bond on the left sideline. Vernon, however, was unable to convert the extra point.
Fraser led the Titans’ offence with 125 yards rushing on 23 carries, and a touchdown.
On defence, South Kam was led by linebacker Grayson Peters and defensive end Chase Argue, each with eight tackles and a sack. Linebacker Kai Yamaoka had seven tackles and one fumble recovery. Linebacker Mitch Landry had a strong games as well with a pair of sacks.
“It was an excellent team effort and we’re proud of the effort put in by our players,” said Titans’ head coach Brad Yamaoka.
For Vernon, Jake Farrell went 17-of-33 for 235 yards and a touchdown with Mitchell Bond being his favourite receiving target, hauling in five receptions for 84 yards. Scotty Hoffman rushed eight times for 46 yards before leaving the game due to injury.
“Defensively, I thought we had a great game plan and limited them to one touchdown while picking off two balls and registering 13 tackles for loss,” said Smith.
Grayson Statham was a machine, and for the second straight game had double-digit tackles (10) on the night, including an amazing six for a loss.
Defensive tackle Nolan Matthews chipped in with seven (two for a loss) while Roan Reid contributed eight (one for loss).
“This is a tough loss and will mean a more difficult road in the playoffs for us,” said Smith. “However, I think this team has the ability to rebound. Hopefully this loss will make us stronger when it really matters in November and December.”
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Great reports Howard, many thanks!!!