LANGLEY — We have gone final with reports from all of tonight’s games. Remember, the regular season also includes action on Saturday so check back with us later in the day for the final regular-season reports of 2019.
FRIDAY
TRIPLE A
EASTERN CONFERENCE
No. 4 LORD TWEEDSMUIR 14 at No. 5 ST. THOMAS MORE 34
BURNABY — You know what they say about defence in big football games.
The St. Thomas More Knights mounted two goal-line stands on the one-yard line and stopped the visiting Lord Tweedsmuir Panthers (5-2) on both occasions Friday.
That, and a AAA-leading seventh interception and fourth pick-six by Knights’ defender deluxe Rickey Parsons helped carry the home team to its biggest victory of the season, one which capped a perfect 7-0 run through the Eastern Conference.
“This was without a doubt our most complete game of the season,” said STM head coach Steve De Lazzari. “(Defensive coordinator) Jared Power came up with an outstanding game plan for Tweedsmuir’s offence and our players executed it with great intensity.”
Lord Tweedsmuir were threatening to score towards the end of the first quarter but the STM defence held them on fourth-and-goal at the one.
Running back Nick Osho would then open the second quarter with an explosive 90 yard run, setting the table for Jack Wagner’s five-yard TD run and a 7-0 lead.
“On the offensive side of the ball, our line did an outstanding job allowing Osho to average over 12 yards per carry on the night,” said De Lazzari after Osho carried 16 times for 201 yards.
On Tweedsmuir’s next offensive possession, Parsons scored on a 30-yard pick-six.
Then after the Knights forced a punt on Tweedsmuir’s next possession, Parsons hauled in a 15-yard pass from quarterback Anthony De Lazzari to set up a five-yard touchdown run by Wagner on the following play for a 21-0 lead.
Tweedsmuir has shown great offensive efficiency all season, yet STM’s Gabe Nacario intercepted the ball at midfield and took it 50 yards for another pick-six TD and a 27-0 lead at the half.
Tweedsmuir would score in the third quarter, and were threatening to add another after a De Lazzari pass was batted down at the line of scrimmage and intercepted.
The Panthers moved down to the Knights’ six-yard line, but were once again denied at the one-yard line on fourth down.
In the fourth quarter, STM connected on a 35-yard pass from De Lazzari to Alex Cordeiro, while Tweedsmuir answered with a major from running back Noah Anderson.
Wagner led STM with nine tackles, Cordeiro had seven, Parsons six and both Nacario and Vic Domingo had five each.
TERRY FOX 29 at CENTENNIAL 7
COQUITLAM — Ethan Elliott returned an interception 52 yards for a score, and teammate Zach Kristmanson did the same from 60 yards out, both in the fourth quarter, as Terry Fox (2-5) won the Coquitlam Cup with a rip-snortin’ defensive effort against its crosstown rivals, the Centennial Centaurs (0-7).
“We played a complete game tonight and it was really great for our seniors to win our crosstown rivalry game,” said Fox head coach Martin McDonnell. “This one always means a little more and our kids were ready to play tonight. We are excited to get another shot in the playoffs for sure, but we know it will be a great challenge for our team.”
The Ravens had six picks on the night, highlighted in a most uncommon way by the team’s field goal kicker.
Kyle Huish booted three through the uprights on special teams, then took his spot on defence and came away with two interceptions.
Alex Malcic had six tackles and an interception while Kristmanson also had three knockdowns.
Ravens’ quarterback Matt Lew Henrickson went 7-12 for 85 yards and Malcic also had 21-yard run for a major score.
Kayle Cowley scored the lone touchdown for the Centaurs on a 65-yard reception which eventually put them ahead 7-6 in the second quarter.
Brandon Wong with seven tackles and Zach Wawryk with six led the Centennial defence.
Cole Kashino carried 12 times for 43 yards, while also returning five kick-offs for 84 yards.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
No. 1 SOUTH DELTA 28 at No. 3 NEW WESTMINSTER 0
NEW WESTMINSTER — You can say that this season, in the world of B.C. high school football, that Hunter Norman was the NFL equivalent of Russell Wilson’s back-up.
That’s how good Sun Devils’ starter Ben McDonald had been, yet after a broken collarbone made the senior a sideline spectator Friday at Mercer Stadium, it was up to Norman to answer the bell.
And answer he did.
“From last year to this year he has grown in leaps and bounds,” said South Delta head coach Ray Moon after the Grade 11 Norman went 13-of-28 for 185 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Sun Devils (7-0) to a perfect regular season, a Western Conference title and a one-week bye following a shutout win over the host New Westminster Hyacks (5-2) at Mercer Stadium.
“The way he came in and basically took charge of the huddle and did all that was asked, here is a young man who saw an opportunity and made the best of it.”
Norman threw a 36-yard touchdown pass in the opening quarter to Evan Paterson for a 6-0 lead, and running back Damon Badenhorst ran in the convert to make it 8-0.
Moon sent huge kudos to an offensive line led by the likes of guard Waylon Andersen and tackle Jack Morgenthaler for a pass protection scheme which allowed the Sun Devils to hold off the Hyacks long enough for Norman to find his targets.
“I also loved how Damon, as a running back, was able to pick up the blitz and really introduce himself to a couple of New West’s blitzing linebackers,” said Moon.
Norman later threw a nine-yard scoring pass to Evan Davies.
Bennett Stoilen scooped up a blocked punt and returned it 26 yards for a score.
South Delta led 22-0 at the half. Neither team scored until Ethan Troniak rumbled 75 yards to the end zone in the fourth quarter.
“Full credit to South Delta,” said New West head coach Farhan Lalji. “They came prepared and out-executed us in all three phases. They made all the key plays in the first half and were full value for the win. Our defence was much better in the second half and our offence had plenty of opportunities but we simply couldn’t finish.”
It’s the second shutout loss for the Hyacks in the last three weeks.
“We have some soul-searching to do after this one,” continued Lalji. “We didn’t react well collectively to moments of adversity and it needs to get better in the playoffs. There are no teams out there that we’ll be able to beat without a full effort and a commitment to one another.”
Moon said Norman was ready to shine, but that it took the efforts of the entire team pushing that much harder to make up for the loss of McDonald.
“We knew Hunter was an accurate passer and we knew that New West would bring the heat to get to him, but he has a good, quick release so as long as we give him the protection,” said Moon. “You can’t replace a Ben McDonald, but everybody came together and worked twice as hard and said ‘We want to do this for Ben.’”
HANDSWORTH 6 at MT. DOUGLAS 36
VICTORIA — Even as it rebuilds in the wake of last season’s Subway Bowl title, the Mt. Douglas Rams (4-3) are a factor to be reckoned with.
On Friday at Goudy Field, the Rams’ defence made four interceptions against North Vancouver’s Handsworth Royals (2-5), then added a safety for good measure to finish a solid fourth in the conference with a plus-77 point-differential.
“The defence played tremendous in forcing those turnovers for us tonight,” said Rams’ head coach Mark Townsend, who got 11 tackles and a sack from Cole Bunting.
Rookie Kaleb Zaliauskas-Swan continued to impress with six tackles, three sacks and the aforementioned safety.
Oshan Thomas and Joe Lucas had five tackles each, with the interceptions coming from Nelson Carnell, Lucas, Linden Williams and Bunting.
On the offensive side, the Hunter Swift-to-Williams duo was a dynamic combination. QB Swift went 7-for-11 for 164 yards and three touchdowns, while Williams hauled in four catches for 126 yards and two touchdowns.
The other touchdown strike came on a four-yard reception by Luke Kedves.
On the ground, Peter Primeau rumbled for 77 yards on 15 carries. Lucas had a 16-yard touchdown run and Swift ran for a 10-yard major of his own.
NOTRE DAME 0 at No. 2 VANCOUVER COLLEGE 31
VANCOUVER — The 63rd edition of B.C.’s most storied high school football game came complete with early fireworks, Fighting Irish style.
Quarterback Alex Nyvlt connected with Jason Soriano on an 83-yard touchdown strike, all part of a 21-0 opening-frame burst from gridiron blocks as No. 2 Vancouver College (6-1) beat the visiting Notre Dame Jugglers (2-5) in the 63rd Archbishops’ Trophy game at O’Hagan Field, taking a 34-28-1 edge in the all-time series.
The victory carries Vancouver College into the playoffs riding a six-game win streak, over which it has allowed just six points over its last five, four of which have been shutouts. The Irish have pitched five shutouts this season.
Running back Daesaun Johnson with a two-yard run and Nyvlt on a five-yard keeper accounted for the remainder of Vancouver College’s first-quarter points.
Raf Schincariol on a six-yard run, and kicker Ben Kolb with a 36-yard field goal, rounded out the game’s scoring in the third quarter.
Schincariol and Johnson rushed for 60 and 59 yards respectively on 17 combined carries, while Nyvlt was 10-of-11 for 168 yards on the day.
Matt Hoag and Colin Dolynski made six tackles apiece to lead the iron-clad defence, while Marcus Teoli, Dimitri Grigg and Keijaun Johnson added five tackles each.
On an historical note, Simon Smith of the Irish became the first offensive line in the 63-year series to be named the Game MVP. The Irish swept the awards with Johnson named the Best Back, and linebacker Hoag named the Best Lineman.
BELMONT 25 at CARSON GRAHAM 27
NORTH VANCOUVER — The Carson Graham Eagles found themselves in an 11-0 hole after the first quarter, and they didn’t put any points on the board in the fourth.
Yet the Eagles (2-5) did just enough in-between to beat Victoria’s young-and-rising Bulldogs (0-7) and capture the West’s final playoff spot.
Eagles quarterback Lucas Granger threw three touchdown passes, the first from six yards to Logan Weidner, and the final two to Trent Skill from 32 and 40 yards, putting the hosts on top 21-7.
Yet if not for Ashton Fink’s fumble recovery major in the end zone later in the frame, Belmont would have emerged victorious as they scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to pull within a pair.
“It’s great to get a win under our belt and head to the playoffs,” said Carson Graham head coach Brian Brady. “It wasn’t a pretty game but it was nice to get a win under those circumstances. We made some big plays in the middle two quarters and we’re working towards putting together a full game.”
Granger went 18-of-30 for 241 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Skill caught four of those passes for 112 yards and two scores.
Weidner made 11 tackles while Jake Oseen had four catches on offence, and an interception.
PACIFIC CONFERENCE
MT. BOUCHERIE 0 at RUTLAND 47
KELOWNA — The Rutland VooDoos’ Fearsome Foursome once again added up to a long night for the opposition.
Running back Jhavoun Blake carried 18 times for 222 yards and four touchdowns while quarterback Liam Attwood went 12-of-16 for 165 yards and two scores, stoking the offence of the VooDoos (6-0) in its win over the Mt. Boucherie Bears (3-3).
Meanwhile, Kai Brydon made 11 tackles to go along with a sack and fumble recovery, and Dan Tran made 10 tackles of his own as part of a shutout performance on defence.
“Our defense tackled well against Mt. Boo’s power running attack and made some big fourth-down stops that setup the offence once again,” said Rutland coach Peter McCall. “It was another great team win.”
Blake rushed for back-to-back six-yard majors for a 12-0 first quarter lead. The VooDoos pushed the scored to 26-0 at halftime on a one-yard keeper by Attwood and a four-yard run by Blake.
Blake rushed for a 60-yard major in the second half while Attwood threw a pair of five-yard touchdown passes to Ryan Dovedoff.
ERIC HAMBER 6 at SARDIS 14
CHILLIWACK — Falcons’ quarterback Josh Janssen stood eye-to-eye with the blitz of the visiting Griffins on Friday, throwing a pair of darts for touchdowns as second-year Sardis (3-3) topped much-improved Eric Hamber (2-3).
“What can I say? Hamber brought the heat all night and Josh made some big throws like he has all year,” said Sardis head coach Adam Smith. “That kid is a warrior and one of the top two quarterbacks in B.C. that nobody talks about. Finishing 5-3 (overall) for a second-year team is something to be proud of.”
For Hamber, head coach Bobby Gibson was able toi quickly pinpoint the problems.
“We moved the ball well early, but couldn’t capitalize and turnovers cost us,” said Gibson. “In the second half, we had to shuffle a lot of personnel. Sardis brought a lot more pressure and we had trouble dealing with it.”
The Griffins’ lone score came in the final minutes on a 23-yard pass from Ben Woodland to Thomas Iverson.
“Defensively, we knew going into the game we were going to be facing a dynamic passing game, and they didn’t disappoint,” added Gibson. “We tried to match against their receivers, and they made some really good plays. Ultimately, I think we did a good job of limiting their chances. We were able to force a couple turnovers, and get some stops with them knocking on the door.”
Senior defensive end Jacob Goodwin had his best game of the season, recording five sacks.
The Griffins will play their final regular season game this coming week as they make up a weather-postponed game from a week ago against Nanaimo District. Both teams did not qualify for playoffs. The contest will be played at noon, Nov. 8 at Hamber.
SULLIVAN HEIGHTS 0 at NANAIMO DISTRICT 49
NANAIMO — The host Islanders scored early and often against the second-year Stars in the regular-season finale for both teams.
NDSS’ Daniel Hall returned the opening kick-off 90 yards, and then after a one-yard TD run by fullback Noah Strom made it 14-0 Isles, the points kept coming.
Defensive end Lochlan Guild stripped a Stars’ ball carrier and took it 12 yards for a score, then halfback Sal Raap-Kopiyka took an off-tackle play 81 yards to the house for a 28-0 lead after the opening quarter.
In the second quarter, quarterback Andrew Mattes threw a 10-yard TD pass to Mack Livingstone, then called his own number on a 28-yard counter for a 42-0 halftime lead.
On the game, Raap-Kopiyka carried just four times but gained 152 yards. On defence, linebacker Ethan Andersen had 12 tackles.
“The first half was explosive,” said NDSS head coach Nate Stevenson. “It just seemed like we kept getting turnovers, then big plays, then turnovers, and then more big plays.
“We were able to roll the bench and try out a few things we have been working with in practice,” the coach continued. “Sullivan came to play but all those turnovers hurt them dearly. They certainly had some great O-Line play and had some devastating down blocks with kicks on the edge. They are fun to watch and I am certain, as this program grows, it will make its mark as a team to beat.”
It was a cold night under clear skies at the Nanaimo District turf, and afterwards a great show of respect and football brotherhood took place as the Grade 12s from both programs linked arms together and made the long walk together to celebrate their high school careers.
The so-called ‘long walk’ is a tradition at Nanaimo District where, after the last home game, the graduating players walk from goal line to goal line while the younger players and fans line the side lines to clap and cheer them on.
FRIDAY
AA
INTERIOR CONFERENCE
OKANAGAN MISSION 6 at SOUTH KAMLOOPS 65
KAMLOOPS — Kayden Crawford rushed for three touchdowns and Eric Crawford threw for four more to lead the Titans (3-1) to a decisive victory over Kelowna’s visiting Okanagan Mission Huskies (1-3).
Mike MacDonald and Cohen Freeze rounded out the scoring with a rushing touchdown each.
“It was nice to get back on track tonight after a bye last week,” said Titans head coach JP Lancaster. “We still have some mistakes to clean up but the progress is encouraging. Full marks to the OKM squad, they played hard until the final whistle. They remind me of us two years ago when we were Grade 10 heavy. They’re going to be great team and a great addition to our conference once they have an experienced Grade 12 group.”
No. 1 VERNON 14 at CLARENCE FULTON 0
VERNON — A capacity crowd filled Greater Vernon Athletic Park to witness the annual Battle of Vernon between the No. 1-ranked Panthers (4-0) and the Clarence Fulton Maroons (2-2).
The fans, however, went home disappointed when the game was stopped part way through the opening drive of the second half after a power failure made the game fade to black.
“We were all disappointed,” said Panthers’ head coach Sean Smith. “It was an exciting game between two good teams and everyone wanted more.”
Added Fulton head coach Mike Scheller: “ It was really too bad for both teams. It was hard-hitting affair. There was a great crowd and a great atmosphere for the game and the stands were packed. That is a tough way for the season to end. We always look forward to our Vernon matchup.”
Prior to the blackout, the Panthers held a 14-0 lead, scoring both majors in the second quarter.
Quarterback Zack Smith continued to be the difference maker for the Cats on offence, passing for 93 first-half yards on 9-of-14 attempts.
Smith would add a game-high 105 yards on 10 carries including a 15-yard run to put Vernon up by two scores. Trent Charlton was the game’s leading receiver, hauling in four catches for 67 yards, while Caden Danbrook caught three passes, including a three-yard TD strike from Smith.
Defensively, the Panthers continue to shut down opposing offences.
End Brady Szeman had his best game of the year with four tackles including two for a loss. Will Satterthwaite added four tackles, while Liam Reid and Smith had three apiece.
Quin Williamson had 45 yards rushing for the Maroons in the first half and Brayden Beckley was very good in the Fulton secondary.
“Fulton played us tough defensively the first time we played them in Week 4 and I knew we’d see more of the same,” said coach Smith. “Mike had them playing great and I wish we could have had another half to give my guys a test against a good squad to prepare us for playoff football. I really feel for the Grade 12’s from both teams. They all look forward to this game and to have it cut short is unfortunate.”
WESTERN CONFERENCE
ARGYLE 3 at No. 2 BALLENAS 37
PARKSVILLE — The Ballenas Whalers (7-0 overall, 3-0 conference) are headed to playoffs with a perfect record.
“We are very proud of our kids for going undefeated this season,” said Whalers’ coach Jeremy Conn. “Now we need to shift gears.”
On Friday, Ballenas was able to score 23 points in the first half before Argyle got its hands on the ball, and the Whalers backed it up with great defence all game long.
“We were yery proud of our defence,” said Conn. “We played disciplined, assignment football against Argyle’s option game and we had good overall defensive pursuit.”
Adrian Friesen continued to lead the tacklers, chalking up five to compliment a sack and a fumble recovery.
Ben Chomolok, the team’s quarterback, intercepted a pass, as did Nathan Robinson who also returned a kickoff 66 yards for a touchdown immediately following a safety.
Offensively, the Whalers got it done on the ground behind Demar Hohnstein who rushed nine times for 72 yards and two touchdowns.
Chomolok and Steven Boley also rushed for short touchdowns as Ballenas enters a bye week ahead of a Nov. 15 quarterfinal game at Nanaimo’s Merle Logan turf.
WINDSOR 6 at JOHN BARSBY 33
NANAIMO — The John Barsby Bulldogs want to be a second-half football team… and who doesn’t, especially with the Subway Bowl playoffs set to open next week.
On Friday, at Nanaimo District Secondary, Barsby (2-1) were just that, outscoring North Vancouver’s visiting Windsor Dukes (1-2) by a 20-0 count over the second half en route to a convincing victory.
“The ‘Dawgs came out and played some inspiring football,” said Barsby head coach Rob Stevenson, whose charges next week open the Subway Bowl playoffs against Surrey’s Holy Cross Crusaders.
Holy Cross (1-3) finished its Eastern Conference season with a forfeit win over Surrey’s Frank Hurt Hornets (0-4).
Barsby’s defence gave up a punt-return major to the Dukes, but still led 13-6 at the break.
The Bulldogs finished with 386 rushing yards on the game, led by Samuela Nakuna who carried 17 times for 231 yards and three touchdowns.
“Defensively, we played some physical, smothering football and that’s what helped us pitch the shutout,” added Stevenson who got three sacks from defensive end Kaden Browne, who finished with five tackles.
Outside linebacker Landon Wilson led John Barsby with eight tackles while fellow OLB William Coopsie had four stops.
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