The Peewee-aged Sea to Sky Titans took the inspiration of a scrimmage under the bright lights at B.C. Place and turned it into an impressive victory when returning to North Shore Football League (NSFL) play on Thanksgiving Monday (Oct. 8).
The Titans got the phenomenal opportunity to take the field for an exhibition contest prior to Saturday’s (Oct. 6) game between the B.C. Lions and Calgary Stampeders, and coach Ralph Forsyth said playing on the CFL turf will be a lifelong memory for his players.
“It’s one of those moments that you never forget,” said Forsyth. “The (spectators) that were coming in early were cheering and it’s amazing how loud it is down there on the field, even when the stadium isn’t anywhere near full.”
The Titans got to play almost three-dozen downs on the width of the field against their NSFL rivals, the North Vancouver Vikings. Jhett Verner scored a touchdown in the abbreviated matchup, though that was hardly the only excitement for the Titans players Saturday.
“We got to stand on the sidelines while the (Lions) players were warming up … and a few of the players came over and gave the kids high-fives,” said Forsyth. “Leo the Lion came by. The cameras came by, so the kids got to see themselves on the big screen.”
The Titans then hosted Kerrisdale’s Westside Warriors in Squamish on Monday and eked out a 6-0 victory.
Verner scored the game’s only touchdown on the opening drive as the Titans improved to 3-1-1 in league play this season.
Despite the low score, Sea to Sky quarterback Adam Klimchuck-Brown had an excellent game, connecting with Aiden White and Luke Haasen through the air for the Titans offence.
“That was the most fun game I think I’ve ever coached, even though the score wasn’t high,” said Forsyth. “We were completing passes and the kids were all over the field, so it was really good.”
The Minor-aged Titans remained winless on the season with a 27-14 loss to the North Vancouver Seahawks on Monday.
There were still some highlights for the Titans in the setback, including a kickoff-return touchdown by Hunter Verner in the second half and a 10-yard for a major by Nolan Welch early on. Jack Forsyth and Noah Brusse each scored converts, while Justin Lerose contributed eight tackles in the loss.
The Whistler Saints flag football squad had a Thanksgiving weekend bye and will return to the field on Sunday (Oct. 14). All three Sea to Sky squads playing in the NSFL are in action this weekend at Norgate Park.
Grizzlies outdone in Oregon
The Pemberton Grizzlies football team struggled in Friday’s (Oct. 5) visit to Warrenton, Ore., suffering their fourth loss of the season in what was the homecoming game for the host Warriors.
Head coach John Burleson said it was “the worst game of the season” for his charges as they fell 54-0 against the American squad.
“No excuses, really. The kids just didn’t show up to play,” said Burleson. “It was inexcusable because this was a team that we did really well against during our summer camp in July.”
Burleson said Dave Lepine’s play on both sides of the ball was one of the bright spots for the Grizzlies on Friday. Jacob Gabriel had two sacks after he filled in for the injured Aaron Ryan.
The Grizzlies have two games remaining on their schedule this season. They’ll play Washington’s Vashon Island on the road Friday (Oct. 12) before visiting Squamish on Oct. 27.
“It will be a tough week of practice for the kids and hopefully they’ll be ready to come out and play, and to represent Grizzly nation in a much more suitable form,” said Burleson.
