The Mission Roadrunners weren’t close to full strength, but they still had enough weapons at their disposal to roll past the Abbotsford Senior Panthers in AA high school football action last Saturday.
Jesse Walker, the Roadrunners’ dynamic Grade 11 running back/receiver, was sidelined due to illness, and quarterback Evan Horton missed the start of the game because he was writing his SATs.
But in their absence, Wayde Carpenter and Dayton Robertson stepped up. Carpenter rushed for 154 yards and three touchdowns to set the pace in the Roadrunners’ 34-6 victory, while Robertson effectively subbed for Horton at QB until Mission’s regular starter arrived.
“It was a little bit extra to manage,” acknowledged Mission coach Kevin Watrin, whose team is ranked No. 3 in AA. “But we’ve got good kids who have a strong work ethic, and [the result] speaks to the strength of our overall team.”
The game had originally been slated for Friday afternoon, but was switched to Saturday due to a shortage of referees. Horton was already booked to write his SATs in Maple Ridge, but he finished up at 1:15 p.m. (about 15 minutes before kickoff) and arrived at the field late in the first quarter.
The Roadrunners were already up 14-0 by the time Horton got in — a testament to Robertson’s steady play and Carpenter’s strong running behind a terrific offensive line.
“He’s had a really good season,” Watrin said of Carpenter, noting he’s been moved around the lineup this season. “He’s been effective as a slotback, but we’ve been able to get a few more touches at running back and he was effective.”
Horton, upon entering the game, threw TD passes to Robertson and Carpenter.
The Roadrunners are on the road this week, facing the Samuel Robertson Technical Titans in Maple Ridge at 7 p.m. on Friday.
