Gridiron giants no longer perfect
Mt. Douglas Rams, Seaquam Seahawks both suffer first setbacks in unpredictable season
If you like your high school football season full of parity and unpredictability, then 2016 has thus far been a treat.
For the first time that I can remember since returning to this beat almost 15 years ago, the No. 1-ranked teams in B.C.’s top two tiers each lost on the same night Friday.
But more than that was the fact that, heading into the eighth week of a 10-week regular season, triple-A’s Mt. Douglas Rams and Double-A’s Seaquam Seahawks were a combined 7-0 in conference play and 13-0 overall.
It’s time to go the full 100 yards for our weekly look at all the action under Friday Night Lights.
At New Westminster, Prento Durigon blocked a punt that Liam Mackay recovered in the end zone for a 17-13 lead early in the third quarter and the host No. 1-ranked Hyacks (3-1 league) never looked back, rallying from a four-point halftime deficit with a 45-19 defeat of Victoria’s defending triple-A Subway Bowl champion Rams (3-1).
Hyacks’ running back Lucas Sabau carried 15 times for 171 yards and two scores as New Westminster rushed for 282 yards on the night and moved into a tie atop the West with the Rams and Notre Dame Jugglers.
Mt. Douglas’ Grade 10 quarterback Gideone Kremler, the provincial passing leader, was forced to sit out the game after suffering an injury in junior varsity competition.
“There is no doubt that we were also very fortunate that Gideone didn’t play,” said Hyacks’ head coach Farhan Lalji.
“He’s an exceptional player and they’re a different team when he’s in the game. Also, they play their best football at the end of the season, so I’m sure they’ll be there at the end again.”
In Friday’s other Western Conference clash, quarterback Steven Moretto threw two of his three touchdown passes to Matthew Manetta and rushed for one of his own as No. 3-ranked Notre Dame (3-1) beat Victoria’s host Belmont Bulldogs (1-4) by a 28-14 count. In Eastern Conference play:
At Mission, quarterback Jaden Shanley threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, all in the first half, while running back Jeremie Kankolongo rushed for 120 yards and two scores in a 51-7 win by the No. 2-ranked Terry Fox Ravens (5-0) over the host Roadrunners (1-4).
At Coquitlam, a stifling Lord Tweedsmuir defence that surrendered just one first down in the second half carried Surrey’s visiting Panthers (4-1) to a 21-7 win over the previously-undefeated, No. 5 ranked Centennial Centaurs (4-1).
At Kelowna, Natt Nacario rushed for 141 yards and four touchdowns and Anthony Prpic for 91 yards and three scores as Burnaby’s St. Thomas More Knights (2-3) blanked the host Kelowna Owls (0-5) in resounding fashion, 48-0.
At Kelowna, Abbotsford’s W.J. Mouat Hawks (2-3) got 251 yards rushing and four touchdowns from Nelson Lokombo in a 36-35 win over the host Mt. Boucherie Bears (2-3), who failed to convert a two-point attempt late in the contest which would have given them the victory.
In double-A action:
At Richmond, a host Hugh Boyd Trojans team that hadn’t played a ranked foe all season and had only entered the rankings earlier in the week, showed its mettle in a battle for sole possession of first place in the Western Conference.
Tariq Lopez scored on a 45-yard run on the Trojans opening possession of the second half and No. 5 Hugh Boyd (4-0) made it stand the rest of the way in a 14-7 win over North Delta’s No. 1- ranked Seaquam (3-1).
The Seahawks tied the contest at 7-7 when Jalen Philpot took a kickoff 85 yards for a score.
Hugh Boyd had taken a 7-0 lead when quarterback Tyler Moxin connected with slotback Zach Jackson on a 40-yard touchdown.
At Nanaimo, outside linebacker Zephyr Melnyk scooped up a fumble and ran 61 yards for a touchdown as the Nanaimo District Islanders (2-2) took advantage of three fumbles by the crosstown rival John Barsby Bulldogs (1-3) en route to a 28-20 crosstown derby win.
In the Eastern Conference:
At Salmon Arm, Mac Ward threw for 269 yards and a pair of touchdowns as North Vancouver’s No. 5 Argyle Pipers (3-0) remained perfect in league play with a 30-13 win over the host Golds (0-3).
In the Okanagan Conference:
At Kamloops, tailback Riley Bos rushed 17 times for 115 yards and scored a touchdown as part of the No. 2-ranked Vernon Panthers (2-0) produced a 31-0 victory over the South Kamloops Titans (1-1).
At Kamloops, quarterback Ike Olson rushed for a one-yard major and also tossed a 75-yard touchdown strike to Caden Doyle as Vernon’s Clarence Fulton Maroons (2-1) blanked the host Valleyview Vikes (0-3) by a decisive 31-0 count.