LANGLEY — Welcome to the Friday Night Lights FINAL edition of the weekly B.C. High School Report.
FRIDAY
AAA WEST
No. 3 MT. DOUGLAS 44 at NEW WESTMINSTER 12
NEW WESTMINSTER — Put Hunter Swift on the football field, and as he’s shown throughout his career the ability to, on his best nights, truly live up to his surname.
On Friday at Mercer Stadium, the Mt. Douglas Rams quarterback show a penchant for ‘Swift’ strikes both through the air and on the ground as the Rams (4-2) snapped a rare two-game losing steak with a key win over the host Hyacks (3-3).
Swift passed for 272 yards and two touchdowns, and he also rushed for 73 yards and two more, finding his own way into the end zone from six and then five yards.
“This was a good bounce-back game for us,” said Mt. Doug head coach Mark Townsend, whose team had lost in consecutive weeks to both No. 1 Vancouver College and No. 2 Notre Dame.
“We saw some great play on the field on both sides of the ball, and some areas we need to clean-up. Overall, though, we loved the effort and grit of our players.”
As part of a game in which they rolled to 458 yards of balanced total offence, Miltiadis Koulelis rushed for 110 yards and a three-yard touchdown.
Koulelis also blocked a punt and turned it into a touchdown when he managed to recover it in the end zone.
On a night in which Giovanni Linuzzi finished with 108 yards in receptions the highlight was a 57-yard touchdown. Max Ferris caught a 12-yard touchdown pass.
The defense was led by Sebastian Sibbald with seven tackles, a blocked punt and a fumble recovery. T.J. Daw had six tackles as the Rams led 23-0 at half and 37-6 heading into the fourth quarter.
No. 2 NOTRE DAME 41 at BELMONT 0
VICTORIA — The Jugglers (6-0) recorded their sixth shutout in eight overall games this season, blanking the host Bulldogs (1-5) at Goudy Field in the provincial capital.
The Notre Dame defense recorded four turnovers — two interceptions and two fumble recoveries — as they continued to dominate opposing offenses.
Offensively, Aiden Domino threw four touchdown passes in the first half and added a 40-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
“As usual this season, (defensive co-ordinator) Jordan Liberman came up with a great plan and the players executed well,” said head coach Denis Kelly. “Offensively, Domino had one of his best games of the year and was in fine form in the pocket. Hard work in practice with our receivers is paying off in games as we approach the end of the regular season.”
Domino opened on his team’s first drive, firing, a 35-yard pass to slotback Anthony Amenta.
On its next possession, tight end Massimo Ryan turned a short completion into a 48-yard scoring play for a 13-0 lead after kicker Noah Banco hit on one of his first two PATs.
In the second quarter, Domino found Antonio Conte for a 43-yard scoring strike and a 20-0 lead, then before halftime, continued to spread the wealth among his cache of receivers with a five-yard TD connection to Luca Pante for a 27-0 lead at intermission.
In the second half the Jugglers scored on Pedro Cabanas’ four-yard run and Domino’s 40 yard-run.
On defense the players recording interceptions were defensive lineman Josh Burchak and linebacker Cabanas. The fumble recoveries were made by Stevie Bondi-Solway and lineman Isaiah Picariello.
“Next week is going to be a big challenge for us as we face Van College in the annual Archbishop’s Trophy game,” said Kelly of the 1:30 p.m. game a week from Saturday, set to be staged at Notre Dame Field. “College is also having a banner year and will come in with a lot of momentum.”
AAA EAST
ABBOTSFORD 0 at No. 5 G.W. GRAHAM 47
CHILLIWACK — Seniors Night was a memorable one for the host Grizzlies (5-1), who not only tipped a collective helmet to its graduating senior players, but put in a determined effort before about 800 fans at Exhibition Stadium in an impressive win over the visiting Abbotsford Panthers (0-6).
Quarterback Lucas Feaver has his best game of the season for GWG, going 11-of-15 for 230 yards and five touchdowns.
“We executed well tonight” noted head coach Luke Acheson. “Our offensive line did a great job protecting Lucas and creating space for the running game.”
Feaver’s top targets were Tyson Kelly (four receptions, 72 yards, two touchdowns), Theo Smith (three receptions, 50 yards and a touchdown) and Josh Caverly (two receptions, 60 yards, two touchdowns).
Running back Gage O’Neill carried the ball five times for 56 yards and two more majors.
The Grizzlies defense was led by linebacker Jared Rhanborn with five tackles, and defensive ends Logan Tocher and Vinny Branauer who contributed four tackles each. Branauer also had four sacks to add to his league leading total, as well as a fumble recovery as well.
On special teams Jared Rhanborn also recovered a Grizzlies kick-off for a momentum-shifting turnover early in the game.
The Grizzlies — have secured a home playoff game in the first round win or lose next week — head to Surrey next Friday to play the Lord Tweedsmuir Panthers for second place in the Eastern Conference
“We are definitely pleased with the team’s progress with season – for a program in our first year at AAA – this has been a success at all levels” concluded Acheson.
No. 4 TERRY FOX 39 at W.J. MOUAT 0
ABBOSFORD — The host Hawks (2-4) did as good a job as anyone in limiting the Ravens (6-0) for the better part of a half, but its own brand of second-half smash-mouth football wound up carrying the day.
Midway through the second quarter, the Ravens were leading 10-0, but hinted at their second-half by finding the end zone from midfield on an inside-zone play.
“Tough game but proud of our kids for the fight we put up,” said Mouat head coach Andrew Harder. “We were down a couple kids, like everyone else, and it gave us some problems with our centre-quarterback exchange, and it’s tough to move the ball when you can’t take care of it. I need to do a better job making sure everyone is ready to adapt to some changes.”
Ravens’ Caleb Gruniger carried 10 times for 113 yards and a score. Two other Terry Fox touchdowns were scored by Alex Gagnon and Jacob Brass, the latter coming on a fumble recovery.
Defensively, Gagnon had nine solo tackles and one sack, Isaiah Cooper five tackles and three sacks and Matthieu Gale eight tackles.
The Mouat defence was led by the likes of middle linebacker Chase Heinrich with six tackles and a pick, defensive tackle Austin Berry with seven tackles and two sack, fellow tackle Nixon Unger six tackles and a sack, and outside backer Ercy Avul with three tackles and a sack.
MISSION 14 at CENTENNIAL 34
COQUITLAM — The host Centaurs (4-2) started their season as one of the surprise teams in B.C. AAA football.
Now, as the conference campaign draws near its close, they are showing just how consistent they have become.
Centennial rushed for a combined 276 yards on the day, 122 of which came on 12 rushes from Ziad Sabry as the Centaurs topped a game Mission Roadrunners (0-6) team coping with the loss of starting quarterback Hayden Royal.
Sabry rushed for scores of nine and later 48 yards, while Tamani Duncan, who had 96 yards on eight carries, scored on a 10-yard run. Duncan also added an interception and four tackles on defence.
“We played a solid football game, we made some mistakes early and missed some opportunities which we will look to clean up but overall as a coaching staff but we were pleased with the effort and we’re identifying more players stepping up to make some big plays for us,” said Centennial head coach Dino Geremia.
Quarterback Malcolm Cameron rushed for a two-yard TD while Jesseo Kim caught three passes for 46 yards, including a 26-yard major.
Marcus Rafnson led the Centaur defense with a sack and six tackles.
For Mission, losing Royal to injury last week led to a major tweaking of the team’s offence, and head coach Danny Jakobs was happy with the way Ethan Gailey stepped into his new role.
“We revamped our offense to Ethan’s strengths and he really delivered considering he had a week of practice with our new offence,” said Jakobs of Gailey, who rushed for 88 yards out of the pivot.
Wes Latour once again led the Roadrunners with 112 yards rushing and scored both of Mission’s touchdowns.
“Wes has put up amazing numbers this year considering the level of experience we have on our team,” the coach explained. “Many of our players are just figuring out the game but Wes can make something out of nothing on many plays.”
Nathan McMahon once again led all tacklers on the Roadrunners’ defence with seven tackles.
“We are getting a little better each week and are looking forward to our last league game against Abbotsford,” said Jakobs.
AAA NON-CONFERENCE
NANAIMO DIST. 0 at ST. THOMAS MORE 61
BURNABY — After North Delta’s Seaquam Seahawks were forced to forfeit it’s AAA West clash with St. Thomas More, the Knights were able to find a match with Nanaimo’s Islanders in a noon kick-off at Burnaby Lakes.
The highlights were plenty for the Knights, as Tino Ciccone’s four interceptions were accompanied by 105 yards in returns.
Running back Gavin Shaw rushed for 102 yards and a score.
Abrose Tsang and Denis Glavas each returned interceptions for touchdowns, Tsang’s for 45 yards and Glavas’ for 35 yards.
Ryan Huang rushed for 66 yards and a touchdown while also making seven tackles and recording a fumble recovery. Luca Lanci Roberts made 13 tackles and forced a fumble.
“It was great to have all our guys get in and compete, and I was proud of our kids who did play by the ways in which they competed, and the class they showed while doing it,” said STM head coach Jared Power, whose team wraps up the conference season next week against the Mt. Douglas Rams.
“I’m glad we were able to organize a game with STM this week,” said Nanaimo District head coach Nate Stevenson, who got four tackles apiece from Tobias Teo and Griffin Metz, as well as a tackle and a sack from Ethan Loos. “We’ve had a tough go this season but still have a solid corps of players eager to play football.”
Nanaimo wraps up its Pacific Conference slate this coming Friday at home on Seniors Night against Surrey’s Frank Hurt Hornets.
AAA PACIFIC
FRANK HURT 6 at HANDSWORTH 46
NORTH VANCOUVER — The Royals enjoyed an offensive coronation of sorts in its final home conference game of the season.
Receiver Conner Smith and running back Noah Brinham lived up to their job titles with a pair of touchdowns each, and quarterback Prestin Forgie not only threw for two scores, he also caught one pass for a major as Handsworth (3-1) topped Surrey’s Frank Hurt Hornets (0-3) on Friday at William Griffin Park.
Forgie’s best outing of the year was efficient to say the least, as the pivot went 8-of-9 for 230 yards. And in addition to his two TD passes, Forgie also threw for a pair of two-point converts and caught another a two-point conversion pass.
“It was also good to see Conner close out at home with the kind of game he had today,” added Royals’ head coach Darren Benning of Smith as the 6-foot-4 wideout’s two majors came as part of day in which he snared four passes from Forgie for 180 yards.
Brinham continued his excellent two-way play, rushing the ball six times for 106 yards and the aforementioned scores, while adding six tackles and an interception on defence.
Grade 10 running back Taigh Povey also chipped in with three carries for 27 yards and a touchdown, while Kael Williams also rushed for touchdown and a two-point convert, in addition to throwing for a pair of two-point converts.
On defence, Brennan Madill had four tackles and Ben Parillo had five more in return to play after a lengthy layoff due to injury.
EARL MARRIOTT 20 at SULLIVAN HEIGHTS 14 (OT)
SURREY — A closing surge of 14 unanswered points, the final six coming in overtime, lifted the visiting Mariners (4-1) to a thrilling comeback win over the host Stars (2-3) in the final game of the season for both teams.
“We lost our grit during the third quarter, but we got it back,” said Mariners’ head coach Todd Fenwick, whose team found itself trailing 20-6 with just over four minutes left in the fourth quarter.
“Our seniors really stepped up for their last game of high school football,” he said. “We are a young team and I’m so proud we played hard through this pandemic.”
Despite their collective pickle, Mariners’ quarterback Bud Beliveau was undaunted, connecting with receiver Armaan Gill twice, first on a 38-yard strike to get his team into the red zone, then on a 24-yard scoring strike. Marley Reiffer caught the two-point convert to tie the game with 1:30 left and the defence stood tall with some huge stops.
Earl Marriott got the ball first and Beliveau scrambled out of the pocket on the very first play for a 10-yard touchdown run and the defence came up big to insure the victory.
Marriott linebacker CJ Augustine stuffed the Stars on their one-yard line in the first quarter, and Beliveau later rolled out to find receiver Reiffer for the opening score and a 6-0 lead that held to the half.
Sullivan Heights bounced back with a pair of Josh Swart touchdowns to lead 14-6, setting the stage for the late rally.
“I’m so proud of the effort our guys put out there, and they were gutted by the loss,” admitted Stars’ head coach Gord Randall. “We challenged them last week on their mental toughness, and it’s the way that they handled everything tonight that stands out. Energy, composure, resiliency and class were the words of the day, and while I felt we deserved the win, life just doesn’t always work that way.”
Sullivan’s Avery Boyd, Vrix De Pano and Logan Ashton, who were disruptive for most of the night up front.
Beliveau passed for180 yards and two touchdowns in the win. Gill had four catches for 71 yards and a touchdown.
Aiden McInnes carried four times for 54 yards before leaving with injury at the half.
Reiffer led the team with five tackles while the defence got sacks from Carter Fenwick, Thomas Cizmok, Sean Collins, Jake Oakey and Liam Davenport.
AA COASTAL
WEST VANCOUVER 8 at No. 1 LANGLEY 41
LANGLEY — The hoist Thunderbirds’ held Seniors Night on Friday at McLeod Stadium, and seniors like Ryan Goeson, Jordan Williams and Aaron Linden made it a night to remember.
Goeson carried five times for 137 yards and two touchdowns, including a 51-yard scoring run on the team’s first series, while quarterback Williams went 15-of-21 for 132 yards and two more touchdowns as the ‘Birds (6-0) stopped the visiting Highlanders (1-5).
Linden rushed for one score and then added a second touchdown when he took a kick-off return to the house in the second quarter.
Reece Griffiths with 10 tackles and James Cuthbert six tackles paced the defence.
After West Vancouver receiver Jonny Corbett scored a touchdown to make it 19-8, Linden’s special teams major off the ensuing kick-off cut the Highlanders deep.
“That was the dagger and we couldn’t come back,” admitted West Van head coach David Hollinshead.
Running back Bruce Jones carried for 73 yards in the loss
No. 4 CARSON GRAHAM 32 at No. 5 BALLENAS 20
NANAIMO — Fast and furious.
That was the way to best describe the Carson Graham offence which seemed to touch down like a twister today in a battle of Top 5-ranked teams at Nanaimo District Secondary.
Quarterbacks Logan Mellish and Tanner McClure went a combined 14-of-16 for 285 yards and five touchdowns for the Eagles (5-1), and the speed merchant turning those passes into pay dirt — Aiden Nemeth — finished with a spectacular nine catches for 209 yards and a five majors.
With Parksville’s Whalers stacking the box to stop the run, Carson Graham leaned more heavily than it has all season on its passing game, and with two healthy pivots and a host of weapons hitting their collective stride, the North Vancouver school’s Air Raid offence was given the perfect opportunity to shine.
“That was a frustrating game but we are proud of our kids for giving it their all of course,” said Ballenas coach Jeremy Conn as the Whalers dropped a key contest and fell to 3-3 in the conference.
“But in the end we got out-coached and out-executed,” he continued. “On defense we were able to shut down their run game pretty good, but then they got us too many times in the pass game. We underestimated them and it hurt us. Kudos to them for a great game plan and performance.”
Mellish, who carried 11 times for 48 yards, did yeoman’s work along the ground with 11 carries for 48 yards, yet his master stroke was going 9-of-11 for 219 yards and four majors.
McClure, the preseason starter who has battled back from injury to give the Eagles a newfound depth and change of pace at the game’s most vital position, was a perfect 5-for-5 for 65 yards and one TD.
“Great team win,” summed Carson head coach Brian Brady. “Good speed on both sides of the ball. We got better this week but still need to work at not shooting ourselves in the foot. Defence flowed well to the ball and forced turnovers. But we’re still searching for that complete game.”
For Ballenas, Ayden Chambers scored on a four-yard run and then Brayden Jupe on a scored on a six-yard QB keeper as the Whaler stayed within 20-14 at half.
Jupe was injured early in second half, however, and with the team’s other pivot, Ryker Sansbury, already out with an injury, the Whaler’s offense was forced to go wildcat.
A 10-yard scoring run by Kooper Chambers accounted for its second-half scoring.
Vytor Olivieira was a force off Carson’s defensive front with 13 tackles. Defensive backs Dylan Seiler and Max Miller were also key. Seiler finished with eight tackles and two picks, and Miller with seven tackles, a number also matched in the linebacking core by Ryan Corda.
For the Whalers, Chambers finished with 21 carries for 128 yards while his brother Kooper Chambers rushed 13 times for 66 yards and had seven tackles on defense. Enzo Agostini had six tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Ballenas also blocked two punts and Avery Swanson intercepted an option lateral.
WINDSOR 14 at No. 3 JOHN BARSBY 28
NANAIMO — Playing against its short-staffed but courageous crew of Dukes (0-6) from North Vancouver, the host Bulldogs (4-2) parlayed 22 first-half points with the effects of a much-needed push from the front-end of its defence en route to a much-needed Coastal Division victory.
“They showed-up at Barsby Field and played a heck of a tenacious football game, and they earned a lot of respect from our program,” said John Barsby head coach Rob Stevenson of Windsor.
“Defensively, we had our best game up front this season with several sacks and a lot of pressures,” he added of an effort which also led to a forced fumble and four interceptions.
Barsby’s first-half points came off of a four yard touchdown run by fullback Carson Corbett-Smith, a 15-yard touchdown throw from Parker Moscrip to tight end Justice McLaurie, a 15-yard strike to Ches Rednour-Bruckman, and Adam Chalmers’ 19-yard field goal.
In the second half, wingback J.D. Mazur scored on a six-yard run.
“Overall, we need to score more off of turnovers and we definitely need to find a way to pass the ball better,” added Stevenson whose team wraps up the home portion of its regular season next week against the Argyle Pipers.
HOLY CROSS 0 at ARGYLE 31
NORTH VANCOUVER — Spurred by a defence which contributed more than its share of offence, the host Pipers (3-4) kept alive the possibility of a .500 season in the ultra-competitive Coastal a reality followings it shutout win over Surrey’s Crusaders (1-5).
On the day, the Argyle defence scored eight points, led by Isaac Dharamsi who made three fumble recoveries and scored a defensive touchdown.
Michael Tufts came up with 10 tackles, many key in stopping several Holy Cross drives.
And running Daniel Kim, playing behind an offensive line which moved in synch all afternoon, helped the Pipers put forward their best ground attack of the campaign thus far.
Kim even shone in his snaps at centre, along the defensive line and at linebacker.
EXHIBITION
OKANAGAN MISSION 6 at SOUTH KAMLOOPS 60
KAMLOOPS — The host Titans (3-1) were firing on all cylinders at Hillside Stadium in a decisive win over the Huskies (0-4).
Quarterback Jesse Peters went 18-of-27 for 354 yards and three touchdowns, while also carrying five times for 54 yards two more scores.
Asthon Yamaoka and Toryn Fraser led the attack via ground and air respectively.
Yamaoka caught seven passes for 154 and two touchdowns, while Fraser rushed 10 times for 165 yards and two touchdowns. Fraser also rushed for a score and Grayson Peters caught four passes for 76 yards.
On defence, the Titans were led by linebackers Jacob Kies (nine tackles, three sacks, and one interception) and Peters (eight tackles).
Safety Ashton Yamaoka counted six tackles and an interception which he returned for a touchdown.
OKM never relented and were rewarded with a touchdown on the their final play of the game.
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