Reward offered for missing trophies

B.C. high school football is trying to solve the case of its hijacked hardware.

Seven of the most hallowed post-season trophies awarded by the B.C. Secondary Schools Football Association, all of which are to be presented this coming Tuesday at the annual Subway Bowl awards banquet, have vanished.

The organization is offering a reward for the safe return of its historic artifacts. Included in the heist were trophies awarded to the Most Valuable Player at the triple-A and double-A levels, and trophies for the top offensive and defensive players at those tiers.

Longtime former Notre Dame head coach and current BCSSFA member George Oswald said his association was stunned to discover the baubles had been burglarized about a month ago.

They had been stored at the offices of Football B.C. When that organization closed its doors recently, the trophies weren’t immediately gathered. About a month ago, during preparations for the Subway Bowl banquet, the association realized the trophies had been pilfered.

“We had no time to get new trophies made,” said Oswald. “Sure, the kids all get small keeper trophies, and we’ve got records of all the winners in our program, but those stolen trophies are a part of our culture and our history.”

Past triple-A MVP award winners include UBC’s Hec Crighton award-winning quarterback Billy Greene (Holy Cross), Calgary Stampeders receiver Lemar Durant (Centennial) and current UBC star Marcus Davis (Mt. Douglas).

The Subway Bowl provincial semifinals are set for Saturday at B.C. Place, with the awards banquet to follow on Tuesday at Vancouver’s Italian Cultural Centre.

Saturday’s four-game semifinal menu begins with a pair of double-A contests. Vernon plays Hugh Boyd of Richmond at noon, followed by G.W. Graham of Chilliwack against North Delta’s Seaquam at 2:30 p.m.

The triple-A slate includes Notre Dame of Vancouver clashing with New Westminster at 5 p.m., followed by PoCo’s Terry Fox against South Delta at 7:30 p.m.

The BCSSFA said Tuesday there will be a $500 reward for the return of the trophies — no questions asked.

The trophies can be dropped off at the East Gate at B.C. Place Stadium on Saturday, or taken to any high school with a football program.