The AAA Vancouver College Fighting Irish (1-0) won a landmark game while the AAA Notre Dame Jugglers (0-1) and AA Hamber Griffins (0-2) were both handed losses in this weekend of regular season high school varsity football.
VANCOUVER COLLEGE 49 20 CENTENNIAL
Fighting Irish head coach Todd Bernett registered his 100th career win Saturday afternoon in Coquitlam when Vancouver College shut down Centennial 49-20. The Irish travel to Victorias Royal Athletic Park Oct. 5 to play Mt. Douglas (1-0).
NOTRE DAME 7 13 TERRY FOX
The five-game pre-season winless streak of the Notre Dame Jugglers might say more about their ambition than their ability. Two games against high-ranking American opponents put Notre Dame to the test, said head coach Richard Scott. We decided to try and get our team battle tested more than usual this year. Beginning with playing Ferndale, Washington and the Segerstrom, California. Both are highly ranked bigger schools, and while we lost both games, we started to see where players fit in.
A would-be win against West Kelownas Mount Boucherie crumbled into a loss after the Jugglers let go of a 19-7 lead at the half. We learned a tough lesson that day about playing a full four quarters. They lost by three.
On Sept. 28, the first game of the regular season, Notre Dame travelled to Port Coquitlam and lost 7-13 to the Terry Fox Ravens. But, said Scott, We finally played a full four quarters on defence.
Notre Dame came short by less than a foot on two fourth-down plays and, to the frustration of Scott, failed to convert on four different drives that advanced as far as the red zone. They also lost star defensive player Matt Will to an ankle injury.
The Jugglers scored in the fourth quarter when the defence blocked a Ravens punt and recovered the ball in the end zone.
It was a massive improvement in many areas of our team and the constant week to week improvement of the whole team is our goal. We are not dejected, or complacent. Our offence has to get points in the red zone. Our defence is improving every practice. One win will massively help the whole team gain the confidence it needs, as we have lots of talent, but they have to put together a penalty and turnover-free four quarters, said Scott.
The Jugglers travel to West Van (0-1) for a 3:30 p.m. meeting on Oct. 3.
HAMBER 49 6 HOLY CROSS
The Belmont Bulldogs (1-0) of Victoria took a commanding 35-0 first-half lead and never let the Hamber Griffins in the game. David Haeber scored for the Griffins to keep the goose egg off the scoreboard for a 6-49 final. The loss follows a 60-0 shutout Sept. 22 at the hands of Holy Cross.
Hamber hosts Valleyview Oct. 5 at 3:30 p.m.
Twitter: @MHStewart
