Panthers shock Hawks to win AAA title
On February 3, 2008, at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, the 16-0 New England Patriots took their unstoppable offence to the field for Super Bowl 42. Heavy favourites to win it all, the Patriots were shocked on the biggest stage, falling to the underdog New York Giants in a colossal upset.
This Sunday, the Lord Tweedsmuir Panthers took to BC Place in a very similar situation as the Giants 17 years ago. Facing off against a WJ Mouat Hawks’ offence, which had put up 100 points in just two playoff games, the Hawks came into this one undefeated on the season and heavily favoured.
With the odds not appearing to be in the Panthers’ favour, Tweedsmuir didn’t blink. They accepted the daunting challenge in front of them and outplayed the Hawks en route to one of the biggest upsets in AAA football within the province’s history, 26-21.
Now the similarities between what happened in Glendale years ago and this Sunday don’t just extend to the win-loss record and underdog upset victory. The defensive plan the Panthers staff installed, which their players executed phenomenally, was eerily familiar.
When the Giants disrupted Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady, they did so by rushing only four and winning their matchups quickly, giving Brady as little time as possible. The Panthers did just that. Their front four was unblockable all night long.
Mekhi Mindingall was a force off the edge from the opening whistle. He sped up Black’s internal clock while winning on the outside, including a massive tackle late in the game on fourth down to keep the Panthers’ hopes alive.
Makalo Matahwa had a great night opposite Mindingall, while Finn Meberg and Kingston Miskinis were forces on the interior.
From a coverage perspective, Tweedsmuir’s defence bracketed Hawks star wideout Max Pratt for the majority of the game. When he wasn’t doubled, one of the province’s best corners, Logan Wager followed and matched up against Pratt wherever he lined up, just like the Giants did to Patriots legend Randy Moss.
The Panthers’ lights-out defensive performance, coupled with Chase Thurston and Jerin Harinen’s electric performances on offence, had the Panthers up 17-7 at halftime.
Here’s the thing about an offence as good as the Hawks: as well as you might be able to contain them for a period of time, eventually, they’ll find a way to put points on the board.
Elijah Black put his team on his back in half number two. Black found Treyson Harley for a big play before finding Petrayus Lollar out of the backfield to cut the lead to just three. After the Hawks’ defence came up with a massive stop on fourth down, Black found the promised land on a scramble from 40 yards out, breaking multiple tackles in the process.
Black had led his team to 14 unanswered points to start the third quarter and within eight minutes of play, the Panthers’ lead had evaporated as the Hawks were up 21-17.
The Panthers’ offensive line and Harinen responded emphatically, getting deep into the Hawks’ territory on three big chunk runs. The Panthers’ promising drive came to a halt and they had to settle for three and still trailed 21-20.
The rest of the way, the Panthers’ defensive line came back to life and pressured Black relentlessly. Despite the lack of time, Black made some incredible throws to Max Pratt, who found a way to get open despite being bracketed.
The Panthers’ defence bent, but didn’t break and had the ball back in Chase Thurston’s hands with just seven minutes to go. Thurston, Harinen and Wager made crucial plays as Tweedsmuir matriculated the ball downfield.
With just over a minute to go, Thurston found Tristan Dominguez on a wheel route from 29 yards out to cap a six-minute 95-yard drive, giving LT the lead 26-21.
With 1:10 to go, Black and the Hawks had the ball back with a chance to win it all. On the first play from scrimmage, Black dropped back to pass. Black took his drop and spotted Pratt on a crosser in the middle of the field.
Black let the ball go and much to his dismay, saw it sail too high for his intended target. LT safety Carter Gill broke on the ball from depth and as the pass sailed over Pratt’s head, snagged it out of mid air, completing the historic upset.
What a game and what an end to an incredible 2025 season. Tonight won’t just be one that the Panthers players, coaches and fans remember. Just like Super Bowl 42 is discussed in NFL circles, this game will be brought up for years whenever talking about historic upsets in BC High School Football history.
Panthers the best of AA
The Vernon Panthers remain inevitable in BC High School Football. As teams look to make their way to the AA championship game, Vernon is always standing in the way and more often than not squashes their opponents’ dreams of winning it all, while having their own title aspirations come true.
At BC Place, surrounded by their fans who made the long trip down to the lower mainland, the Panthers’ dreams became reality as they defeated the Argyle Pipers 41-0 to win the AA title.
Last year, the Panthers let the big game get away from them when they were defeated by the Windsor Wolves 17-14 in a major upset. This year, the higher-seeded Panthers allowed no Cinderella story to occur. With the game tied at zero early in the second quarter, Vernon turned to their star and never looked back.
Ayden Mcdonald was absolutely phenomenal in this one. From the time he opened the scoring on a 30-yard rush off a QB power to the time the clock struck zero and the Panthers showered head coach Sean Smith with Gatorade, there was no better player on the field.
Mcdonald would account for three total touchdowns running behind the stellar play of the Panthers’ offensive line and would add two interceptions on defence.
After Mcdonald’s opening major, the floodgates opened for Vernon. On the next play from scrimmage, Jonah Lee intercepted a pass and took it to the house for six and the rout was on.
Owen West and Bennett Friesen would add rushing scores of their own as the Panthers pounded the ball at will all afternoon. The Pipers gave it all they had and battled till the very end, but had no answers for the ground attack of Vernon or their stifling defence.
Josh Vandenberg was a problem all night for the Pipers’ front five. Vandenberg used his long reach and blew up plays in the backfield for tackles for loss against the run, while getting after the quarterback and being virtually unblockable while rushing the passer on throwing downs.
Blake Bell won outstanding lineman of the game, Owen West took home best back, while Mcdonald was awarded MVP of the game. After the Panthers players were awarded their individual accolades, the team hoisted the AA championship trophy high in the air and started their celebration, which I’m sure will last the whole bus ride home.