A dominating defensive performance combined with a ground game that rushed the ball at will helped the Langley Rams pick up their first win of the 2016 season.
The junior football team posted an impressive 39-0 victory over the Valley Huskers on Saturday night at Chilliwack’s Exhibition Stadium.
The win improved Langley to 1-1 while the Huskers dropped to 0-2 in BC Junior Football Conference action.
Despite the victory, the Rams did struggle with penalties — they were flagged 15 times for 170 yards — as well as offensive execution in the second half as they managed just three points over the final 30 minutes.
But the first half went great as they scored on six of their eight possessions and racked up 375 of their 448 yards of net offence.
Nathan Lund led the charge with 119 yards on just six carries, including a 90-yard touchdown run.
Jordan Fox also scored on a 17-yard scamper as the Rams rushed the ball 26 times for 298 yards — more than 11 yards per carry.
Quarterback Stephen Legare went 10-for-18 for 161 yards, including a pair of touchdown passes to Nick Agnoletto. The receiver finished with a game-high 77 yards on four receptions.
The Rams defence came up with a pair of fumble recoveries as Rene Sencio and Carmelo Brancati scooped up the loose pigskins after Shaiheem Charles-Brown and John Beckerleg, respectively, jarred the ball loose.
Charles-Brown also had 1.5 quarterback sacks, with Jacob Dodd also registering a half-sack.
Nick Westad led the defence with four tackles and an assist.
The Huskers managed just 114 yards of net offence.
The rest of the Rams points came from the kicking game.
Tiernan Docherty connected on field goals of 39 and 50 yards as well as going 4-for-4 on converts.
Wayne Palmer was good on a 39-yard field goal — the only points of the second half.
Docherty also scored a pair of singles of kick-offs, including an 85-yarder which tied a Rams record, as well as setting a new club record with a 78-yard punt.
Docherty was named the BCFC special teams player of the week.
Home opener Saturday night
After a pair of games on the road to start the season, the Rams are set for their home opener on Saturday (Aug. 6) against the Kamloops Broncos (0-2) at McLeod Athletic Park. Game time is 7 p.m. and the team will honour long-time community football volunteer Joe Connelly.
Connelly was recently honoured with a BC Lions Orange Helmet Pioneer Award.
