The Vernon Marauders are obviously ready for the Southern Interior Junior Bantam Football League playoffs.
Ron Kirschner’s crew finished the regular season Sunday with a 31-0 bouncing of the host Kamloops Broncos.
The same two teams meet in first-round playoff action Sunday (2 p.m.) at Grahame Park.
Quarterback Trey Isaac led his most balanced and productive attack of the season, passing for 140 yards on six of 12 attempts. He also scored a touchdown, was good on two of four convert attempts and kicked an 18-yard field goal.
Also scoring for Vernon were Jonah Waterstreet, with 58 rushing yards on four carries, and Carson Labrecque, with 54 yards on five carries and some big blocks.
Levi Nicholas was the most potent weapon for the Marauders, rushing for 67 yards on three carries and gaining 81 yards on three passes, one of which was a 39-yard strike for a TD.
Instrumental to the success of the Marauder attack was the blocking of linemen Tyler (Ducky)Sova, Mike Tesarski and Hayden McLean. Wideouts Keegan Vicklund, Jayden Koscienly and Kenzel Arts-Roman also made key blocks to spring their teammates for TD runs.
The rock-solid defence was led by linebacker Jakob LaFlamme-Yonkman with 10 tackles and some great pass coverage.
Defensive end Bryce Sorensen recorded five tackles and a sack, while putting huge pressure on the Bronco QB, as did safety Josiah Gaskell, who earned two tackles and a fumble recovery, and middle linebacker Weston Vanderveen with four tackles.
Corners Mack Henry, Hunter Koopmans, Connor Kamann and Koalden Oakden provided stifling pass coverage all game.
“Our defence is really starting to gel,” said defensive co-ordinator Andy Stefansson. “It has been an evolutionary process throughout the season that has seen some of our new players gaining game experience in a variety of positions. They are now settling into a spot where they can excel and contribute to our defence.”
Added Kirschner: “The boys are working well together. Avoiding injuries will be key to our success in the playoffs.”
In Pee Wee action Saturday at Hillside Stadium, the Vernon Yellow Jackets completed their regular season with a 45-0 win over the Kamloops Broncos.
Contributing on offence were Dylan Huber with three carries for 76 yards and two touchdowns, Riley MacGillivary with touches for 105 yards and two touchdowns, Zach Benn with eight rushes for 145 yards and one TD and Issac Olsen with four runs for 19 yards and one TD.
Evan Worth, Jordan Scherck and Teylor Munger also ran the ball.
“It was a day of excellent defence as the Broncos only managed one first down all day on the last series of the game,” said Jackets’ head coach Ed Huber. “Thomas Mackewich led the Big Mac Attack defence with two interceptions, one for a touchdown.”
Miles Forrest registered an interception and a QB sack, while Bryce Turner forced a fumble and recovered one. Also forcing a fumble was Noah Slimmon.
Kayden Doughty was outstanding on special teams with two excellent punt returns for a total of 85 yards. Vernon ended the regular season 6-2 with six wins by shutouts.
Vernon hosts the Salmon Arm Colts in quarterfinal action Sunday (noon) at Grahame Park.
The Vernon Midget Magnums won by default over the Penticton Chargers, and have received a bye into the nine-man provincials, Nov. 12, in Kamloops along with Vernon Atom Blue Bombers.
