The Howe Sound Sounders gave the Eric Hamber Griffins a somewhat unfriendly welcome to varsity-level football on Saturday (Oct. 8), beating the first-year team 45-0 in the opening weekend of Tier 2 B.C. High School Football regular-season action.
The Griffins have competed at the Junior Varsity level before this year but were overwhelmed by the Sounders' experience and defensive prowess.
"The aggressiveness and intensity of the defensive players was something to see," defensive co-ordinator Jim Errington wrote in an email.
The defensive pressure started early, as the Sounders' Jordan Gosteli blocked a punt after Hamber's first possession, giving Howe Sound the ball at the Griffins' 11-yard line. From there, Roland Mendoza ran in a touchdown and the Sounders connected on their two-point attempt to take an early 8-0 lead.
The defence again stepped up on the next series of plays after Anthony Wuster picked off a Griffins' pass and ran the ball back for 54 yards. Howe Sound again was good on the extra point attempt, to go up 16-0.
Hamber's misfortunes continued on their next series, when Gosteli again blocked a punt, which was eventually recovered by Cam Prouten in the end zone. After another successful two-point attempt, the Sounders built their lead to 24-0.
As the first half continued, the offence got on the board when James Kyle caught a pass for 26 yards and the Sounders went up 32-0 to close out the half.
The first play of the second half saw Griffin Dare run back the kickoff 87 yards to put the Sounders up 38-0. Dare also added a receiving touchdown in the third quarter, scoring on a 31-yard passing play. Dare then kicked the extra point to put the Sounders up 45-0.
The numbers from the game seem to tell the story. Howe Sound held Hamber to only five yards rushing on 20 attempts and only allowed 104 yards of offence overall. The defence picked up three interceptions, two blocked punts, recovered two fumbles and had one sack.
The Sounders had a solid game offensively, with 97 yards on the ground and 57 yards in the air. Sarah Lepine led the team with 57 yards rushing, with Roland Mendoza, Kyle and Dare scoring the offensive majors.
The Sounders move to 1-0 in regular-season competition and will next host the Frank Hurt Hornets at the Howe Sound field in the team's regular-season home opener. It will be the first time the two teams have met since the Hornets eliminated the Sounders from the playoffs last November.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday (Oct. 15). For more information on B.C. High School football, visit www.bchighschoolfootball.com.
In other Sounders' news, head coach Joe Gignac has left the team after being relocated because of work commitments. The team is seeking volunteers to help replace Gignac. Those interested can contact assistant coach Jim Errington by email at [email protected].
