A slow start haunted the first game of the 2015 AAA B.C. High School Football regular season for the W.J. Mouat Hawks and they ultimately couldn’t recover.
The Hawks fell behind 15-0 in the first quarter to St. Thomas More and they battled back, but eventually lost 28-14 in Burnaby on Friday.
Hawks quarterback Noah Dietrich finished with 221 yards passing and one touchdown pass, but also threw two interceptions. Receiver Elijah Falconer scored a touchdown and gained 119 yards receiving, while Nelson Lokombo had a team high 65 yards rushing.
Defensive lineman Reuben Reardon led the way defensively for the Hawks with nine tackles and one sack. The Hawks next host Terry Fox for the team’s home opener at Mouat Field on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
In exhibition action, the Abbotsford Secondary Panthers fell 34-23 to the Holy Cross Crusaders in Surrey on Saturday.
Panthers star receiver Chase Claypool was ejected from the game in the first quarter, and Abbotsford trailed 27-7 at thehalf. The Panthers got closer in the second half but couldn’t catch the Crusaders.
Running back Richard Tshimpaka ran for 127 yards and two touchdowns and defensively linebacker Samwell Uko recorded three quarterback sacks. The Panthers have another exhibition game at home on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and then open the AA regular season in Mission on Oct. 10.
In other AA exhibition action, the Robert Bateman Secondary Timberwolves lost 14-0 to Carson Graham at home on Saturday. The Wolves threw six interceptions in the loss. They continue the exhibition schedule against Holy Cross in Surrey on Saturday. Bateman opens the regular season on Oct. 9 when they host G.W. Graham.
Also in AA exhibition action, the Rick Hansen Hurricanes played to a 12-12 tie with Eric Hamber on Saturday. The Hurricanes host Moscrop on Friday for another exhibition game and then open the season by hosting Pitt Meadows on Oct. 9.
