The North Langley Bears fell 26-12 to the undefeated Blue Giants in a hard-hitting division title game Saturday in Chilliwack.
Coached by Jay Williams, the Bears finished their Valley Community Football League season with a record of 8-3 and second spot.
The Bears’ pass coverage was tight with an interception by Mathieu Gale and knock-downs by Gale, Leid Wallan, Jacob Evans and Jaxon Stebbings.
Both Gale and Jacob Deibert recovered Chilliwack fumbles, while speedy Seth Mangroo twice hauled down the ball-carrier to prevent a touchdown.
Key stops were also made by Dallas Pattenden, Conner Bernardin, Kaleb Reemeyer and Caleb Faust, including a huge hit to force a dropped pass on a convert attempt.
On offence the Bears hit stride in the fourth quarter, scoring majors on two of three possessions in the Chilliwack red zone. QB Stebbings scrambled for 20 yards into Giants’ territory, Reemeyer took a swing pass and stiff-armed his way for a first down, and then Pattenden ran for another to the Chilliwack 20. Following a Giants’ turnover, from the Chilliwack 23 Pattenden plowed and spun his way through the defence into the end zone.
On the next Bears’ drive, passing was key as Stebbings found Callum Middleton, Reemeyer and then Grayson Gehrer for 30 yards to the Chilliwack 14, the biggest gain of the day.
Four plays later Stebbings outraced the Giants to the corner of the end zone.
