New Westminster Hyacks football proving the fullback position isn’t dead in big win against G.W. Graham Grizzlies
The way offenses are run in BC High School Football has changed a great deal in the last couple of years. Most teams have steered away from old-fashioned smashmouth football to now “Basketball on grass.” With getting athletes into space being the primary focus of most teams, the New Westminster Hyacks are sticking to their guns with the power run game, and it helped lead them to a 47-6 victory over the G.W. Graham Grizzlies Friday night.
When discussing the Hyacks historically, it doesn’t take long to mention their vaunted Wing-T offense. This scheme is predicated on misdirection and based around off-tackle runs, play-action passes, and just enough inside traps and isolations to keep a defense honest.
Offensive coordinator Darnell Sikorski says their go-to run play, which hits off tackle, may not be their staple this year. “I think the players have leaned into us pounding the ball inside and getting tough yards up the middle.”
The benefactor of this mentality? Fullback Tyson Godspower. As the Hyacks hosted the Grizzles on a hot Friday night, Godspower didn’t give them a warm welcome. Living up to his nickname “T-Train,” Godspower could be seen making his best Mike Alstott Impression running over Grizzle’s defenders, stiff-arming them to the ground, and even showing breakaway speed to finish multiple long yardage runs.
The Grizzlies have a very different offensive approach. Running a spread attack, the Grizzlies try to use the width of the field to create matchups for their athletes in space. If you send extra defenders worrying about those said athletes, they’ll try to run the ball inside with star running back Noah Sandau.
Unfortunately for the Grizzles, not only does the Hyack’s defense have the Athletes with the ability to cover one-on-one, but their defensive line explodes off the ball, penetrating up the field and blowing by offensive linemen trying to block them. If you manage to slow them down for a play, look out for middle linebacker Julian Macfadden flying around and laying the lumber on opposing running backs.
With the score 7-0 Hyacks off of a Godspower rumble late in the first quarter, the Grizzlies looked to gain some momentum. On the ensuing kickoff return, Ridley Mastin caught the ball on the right hash mark, made a sharp cut outside to the left, and took the ball back to about midfield. Not long after, Sandau broke two tackles from Hyacks backers who seemingly had him dead to rights in the backfield and powered on for a gain of about 15 yards.
Moving into New Westminster territory quickly, the Hyacks contained the run and forced a short completion, bringing up fourth and four. As Grizzlies quarterback Rylan Parks faded back to pass, a well-timed pressure made Parks get rid of the ball before he wanted to, and the ball fell incomplete for a turnover on downs.
Back with possession, the Hyacks gave the ball to Godspower. He burst through the middle on a trap play for a massive gain, but as he was finally brought down, the ball popped loose, and a Grizzlies defender fell on it. Momentum was back with the Grizzlies.
With the Grizzlies struggling to run the ball, minus a couple of incredible individual efforts by Sandau, they were forced to air the ball out. Hyacks Defensive coordinator Chad Oatway was fully ready for it. Sending one well-designed blitz after another, Oatway got his Backers running untouched into the backfield, forcing Parks to miss throws toward the sidelines or take sacks.
New West capitalized on those pressures and Forced the Grizzlies to punt. After a bad snap flew over the Grizzlies’ punter’s head, New Westminster was starting in prime real estate. After backup quarterback Gavin Rai threw a pass-off play action for a 25-yard gain, Godspower Bludgeoned his way to another score, and it was 13-0 Hyacks.
With New Westminster looking like they were about to put the game away, Ridley Mastin had other ideas. Catching the ensuing kickoff inside his ten-yard line, Mastin took off to the right, showcasing his blazing speed as he left Hyack defenders in his dust for six. The Grizzlies had life with the Score 13-6 in the second quarter.
The Hyacks may be bought into pounding the ball, but they also have one of the best receivers in the province. Benicio Hageleit showed his skills early on the next drive catching a pass from his brother Antonio on the right sideline then cutting back across the grain making defenders fall in the process for a massive gain.
What followed? A trap play to Godspower up the middle, which the Grizzlies had no answer to all night. After that play, the Hyacks were inside the Five. Antonio Hageleit punched it in for the Hyacks on a quarterback sneak, and it was 20-6 Hyacks.
After that, it was all New Westminster. Whether it was converting a fourth-and-twenty the next time they had the ball, Kah’ri Johnson running off tackle for a 50-yard score, or Nigel Derasp intercepting a Parks Pass, the Hyacks could do no wrong, dominating the rest of the game.
With an impressive 47-6 victory, it appears the Hyacks may be a team to look out for this year. Knowing Head Coach Andrew McKechnie, the team will enjoy the victory tonight, but then the focus will shift to next week’s matchup on the road against the Abbotsford Panthers.
Mouat attacks through air, soars past Timberwolves
There is nothing quite like a rivalry game. Both sides can’t stand one another and are willing to do anything to hold bragging rights over their counterparts. There’s just a different level of intensity that these games bring.
In a heated Friday night showdown, the WJ Mouat Hawks soared past their cross-town rivals, the Robert Bateman Timberwolves, with a hard-fought 25-6 victory.
The first half was a scrappy defensive battle. After Mouat took the lead 6-0 in the first quarter, defenses ruled the first half. The Timberwolf’s offense started to push in the second quarter but was thwarted by the Hawks’ defense.
Led by Eddie Geelhoed’s eight tackles on the night, the Hawks constantly disrupted Bateman’s offensive rhythm up front. Not to be outdone by their front seven, Defensive backs Cole Shanks and Jayden Dhillon showed off their ball-hawking prowess, both recording interceptions.
The second half started, and finally, the Hawks’ offense was able to gain some traction. Quarterback Elijah Black led the Hawks’ downfield, throwing for one of his three touchdowns on the day, putting Mouat up 13-0.
Still in the third quarter needing a big play, Bateman got just that. With the ball deep in Mouat territory, Bateman recovered a fumble. Soon after, Bateman running back Jackson Kliewer punched the ball in to make it 13-6.
With Bateman within one score, it was time for Black and the Hawk’s aerial attack to shine again. Mouat scored two unanswered Touchdowns to finally put Bateman away.
Black spread the ball around to his playmakers all game, looking very impressive in the process. Santiago Llarena made the most of his three catches for 78 yards, pulling in a highlight reel 37-yard catch for a touchdown. Max Pratt also played a pivotal role, grabbing six catches for 94 yards and adding a score of his own.
With a tough loss Bateman’s head coach David Mills knows his players are capable of more.
“We really need to me more consistent on both sides of the ball. We had moments when we looked good and moments where we completely lacked focus. Mouat is a very, very talented team and you cannot lose focus against them or they will make you pay. We have some work to do as we have another tough opponent this week in Centennial. We are excited for the opportunity to prove we are better than showed tonight.”
As for the victorious Hawks they’ll try to take their momentum to the island next Friday when they take on the Mt. Douglas Rams.
Eagles don’t take it easy on Ravens
If you like watching teams that sling it around the field, the Carson Graham Eagles are the team for you. Running their vaunted “Air Raid” offense, the Eagles showcased their high-flying attack in a 36-21 victory over the Terry Fox Ravens Friday.
Holding the reigns of this air raid attack is quarterback Jack Shih. Shih is living every quarterback’s dream by playing in the system. Shih Finished with 18 completions on 26 attempts for 302 yards and four touchdowns carving up the Ravens secondary in the process.
You know who’s also living the dream? Shih’s receivers. Charlie McLeod caught three passes for 95 yards and two scores. Not to be outdone, Daniel Julio added two scores of his own to go along with 49 yards receiving.
The Eagles jumped out to a 20-0 lead until late in the second quarter. The Ravens finally found themselves In scoring position and kicked a field goal as time expired in the first half to cut the lead to 20-3.
With the Eagles seemingly in control to start the half, all hell broke lose. First the Ravens caught a long touchdown reception that defected of an Eagles defender into the waiting arms of a raven to take it in for six.
On the ensuing drive, Shih made one of his few mistakes on the day, throwing a pick-six. With twelve points in just over a minute, the Eagles’ 17-point lead shrunk to just five in the blink of an eye.
Facing adversity, the Eagles refused to fold. They scored 16 unanswered points and held the Ravens off the board until late in the final quarter, securing a 36-21 victory. Critical in holding the Ravens at bay were Connor Henry and Kaon Kang, who had 6 Tackles apiece.
Looking to Build off their decisive victory, the Eagles will play Eisenhower in Yakima, Washington, next Friday night.
Geremia and Centaurs get revenge on Deugau and Crusaders for last years defeat
The impact of a kind, caring coach can’t be measured. As coaches teach their athletes the game, the best ones find a way to correlate the lessons of sport to everyday life. This impact leaves players and coaches with a special relationship that lasts a lifetime.
Centennial Centaurs head coach Dino Geremia and Holy Cross Crusaders coach Conrad Deugau know all about this. “Dino Germeia was my DL coach when I played at SFU (99-04) so we have a great friendly rivalry and obviously a lot of care and respect for each other,” said Deugau.
That friendly rivalry was showcased Friday night as the Crusaders were on the road against the Centaurs. It was time for Geremia and his team to return the favor in a rematch from last year’s week one game, where Deugau’s squad defeated his former university coach.
In a resounding 34-0 victory, the Centaurs and Geremia avenged their loss from this time last season. Not only did the Centaurs win big, they may have seen a star blossom right before their eyes in quarterback Jacob Cusker.
Cusker picked the Centaurs apart through the air. He made one quick, decisive decision after another, finishing with four touchdown passes on the day.
After an initial stop by the Centaurs on the games opening drive, it took just two plays for Cusker to find Isaiah Lescene underneath. As he caught the ball just five yards up the field, Lescene spun to the right, breaking a tackle in the process, and proceeded to fly down the right sideline, showcasing his blazing speed in the process for a score.
With the Centaurs up 7-0 and with possession of the ball, it was time for Cusker to attack through the air again. On a third and long just inside Crusaders territory, Cusker dropped back to pass. Facing a two-safety look, Cusker threaded a ball on a crossing route right between those two defenders to receiver Ediri Ena Laqui for a forty-yard score, putting the Centaurs up 14-0.
With the score 21-0 Centaurs, the Crusaders kicked off to start the second half. That kickoff landed in the hands of return man Jasper Baron. Starting from just outside the right hashmark, Baron patiently worked back to the middle of the field. As he worked his way left, a small crevice opened between two Crusaders’ defenders. Baron stuck his foot in the ground, exploding through the hole, and took off down the left sideline untouched for another Centaurs score. Just like that, it was 28-0.
The Centaur’s defense took over from there, continuing to hold Holy Cross off the scoreboard the rest of the night. Harry Lobay and Adam Teglasi stood out on defense in the Centaur’s shutout performance.
Despite the lopsided win, Geremia showed admiration for his former player’s team: “Holy Cross displayed great resilience all night fighting hard.”
Deugau knows that despite the difficult loss, there were still positives to draw from. “A few bright spots for us were the play of our two veteran O and Dlinemen, Fateh Dhatt and Tariq Ali. Our LB Paulo Emata had a late interception to help stem the tide a bit.”
Deugau and the Crusaders will use the hard-earned lessons from Friday night going forward. “We’re going to learn from this and improve on the little things as we head to STM and play in front of a raucous crowd that always provides great energy to all players and coaches regardless of team.”
The Centaurs will head to Robert Bateman Secondary next Friday to take on the Timberwolves.
Copyright © 2024 Nicolas Hauka