VANCOUVER — One of the signature clashes in this 2019 B.C. senior varsity Double A season gets a highly anticipated rematch.
On Saturday night, Chilliwack’s No. 3-ranked G.W. Graham Grizzlies opened their Subway Bowl playoff season with a 35-6 win over Surrey’s visiting Holy Cross Crusaders (full game report below), setting up a provincial semifinal Subway Bowl clash this Saturday (2:30 p.m.) at B.C. Place Stadium against the No. 4-ranked Langley Saints.
The two teams quite famously met on Oct. 9 in an Eastern Conference clash in which the host Grizzlies rallied from five points down in the final stages with an interception and subsequent game-winning touchdown to claim a 20-19 victory.
In the tier’s other semifinal under the dome Saturday, No. 1 Vernon faces No. 2 Ballenas at 12 noon.
In Triple A, Saturday’s schedule at B.C. Place has unranked Notre Dame facing No. 5 Lord Tweedsmuir at 5 p.m., followed by No. 2 Vancouver College clashing with No.3 St. Thomas More at 7:30 p.m.
The Grade 8 championship final will open the day at 9:30 a.m.
HOLY CROSS 6 at No. 3 G.W. GRAHAM 35
CHILLIWACK — Senior’s Night takes on an extra special feel with loser-go-home stakes in the autumn air, and that was the case Saturday evening at Exhibition Stadium.
After forcing a three-and-out, the Grizzlies marched straight down the field and opened the scoring on a 10-yard run by Jaiden Claassen.
G.W. Graham pushed that score 29-0 by the half.
On the night, Claassen carried 17 times for 203 yards and four touchdowns.
Colby Bessette added some razzle-dazzle with a 35-yard touchdown pass to Jett Thomas.
“Motivation for this game was easy to come by,” agreed GWG head coach Luke Acheson. “Senior night, home crowd, loved ones, home city, school pep band, win or go home. Take your pick, the energy in the air was palpable and our young men were fired up. The defence played great, our offence executed well and our senior players led the way.”
Holy Cross’ only score came on a five-yard pass from Silas Marchan to Tee Anim in the fourth quarter.
“Sometimes it doesn’t go your way and for us, today was that day,” said Crusaders’ head coach Conrad Deugau. “They outplayed us. They executed well and just beat us. No excuses. I’m proud of my boys. This season had its challenges but I’m proud of the boys and I’ll miss coaching this group of kids.”
NUMBERS UPDATES
On-site for an entire day at B.C. on Saturday gave nice access to coaches following games, but the frenzy of producing game stories throughout the day put a damper on collecting stats.
Here are some additional stats from games involving Vancouver College and St. Thomas More.
VANCOUVER COLLEGE
Rushing — Raf Schincariol seven carries for 86 yards, Deasaun Johnson eight carries for 79 yards and a touchdown.
Passing — Alex Nyvlt 4-of-10 for 66 yards, 2 TDs, 2 Ints; Christian McMahan 2-of-4 for 31 yards.
Top tacklers — Colin McKellar 8; Colin Dolynski, Jackson Findlay, Matt Hoag, Josh Hsiung six each.
ST. THOMAS MORE
Rushing — Nick Osho 27 carries for 187 yards and one touchdown. Rickey Parsons four carries for 25 yards, Jack Wagner had four carries for 20 yards.
Passing — Anthony De Lazzari 9-of-14 for 180 yards.
Receiving — Jack Wagner two catches for 90 yards, Alex Cordeiro four catches for 65 yards.
Top tacklers — Rickey Parsons 7, Alex Cordeiro 6 (1 sack), Kaishaun Carter had 3 and a fumble recovery.
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