A few Fulton Maroons got up close and personal with the new Greater Vernon Athletics Park Wednesday after school.
They ran a few routes, caught a few balls and basically got used to the turf as they prepare for the first high school Friday Night Under the Lights game (6:00) in Vernon history.
Fulton, an AA school, battles the AAA Salmon Arm Golds in the Friday night special.
“It’s a lot flatter than our field (Grahame Park, which is better,” said Fulton starting safety, 17-year-old Kobe Romanovitch. “It’s nice.”
The Maroons are eager for success before what is expected to be a large crowd at the American-like high school stadium.
“Especially playing the first game, hopefully we get the W,” said Maroon starting linebacker/fullback Colton Annis.
The Golds dispatched the Westsyde Blue Wave 32-2 in exhibition play under the Friday night lights at the Salmon Arm Savings & Credit Union Sports Complex.
Runningback Jase Roberts racked up 103 rushing yards and two touchdowns for the AAA Golds. Sage King is their leader on defence.
Fulton head coach Mike Scheller had watch game film and knows what his team can expect.
“They are big up front and that could give us some problems,” said Scheller. “They run the ball well and their tailback #44 (Roberts) is a player. He has burst and toughness. Their offence is a basic ace and slot I team, so that is basic high school football.Defensively, they look solid and run a 4-4, zone defence scheme.”
Scheller said his players and coaches are stoked about playing a night game.
“It will be a great and proud experience for us. I have been involved in football in this town since the 1980s as a player and coaching since then. It is awesome to have a stadium with lights in our town and it looks absolutely great.”
Ike Olson starts at quarterback and defensive end, while Caden Doyle is at tailback and Jeff Han and Koalden Gudeit-Oaken are the wide receivers. Cole Hunter lines up at tight end.
Offensive tackles are Anthony Prince and J.J. Heaton, while the starting guards are Andrew Goldenthal and Issiah Foureyes. Centre is Quinn Miller.
On defence, Goldenthal, Prince and Heaton will be backs, Foureyes starts at inside linebacker and Doyle and Bhupi Banga are on the line. Nate Banga and Ethan Eisenhauer patrol the corners.
n The Vernon Magnums iced the host West Kelowna Tiger Cats 24-0 in Atom football Sunday.
Reid Williamson started things off with a 30-yard touchdown in the first quarter and proceeded to run a total of 85 yards with two more scores.
Magnums quarterback Owen Ranger also scampered for a 45-yard TD and finished with 80 rushing yards.
Also contributing to Magnums offence was Seth Holte (30 yards), Morgan Hackman (15), and Issaiah Grant (10).
The Magnums defensive line sacked the Tiger Cats quarterback five times, while Lochlen Kilford and Sophia Winstanley held the defensive line, making four incredible tackles and a turnover apiece.
Coach Terry Winstanley said the Magnums “played with determination and confidence even after suffering a loss last week.”
