The minor football season kicked off last weekend, with Chilliwack’s bantam Giants facing the North Delta Longhorns.
In a rematch of a preseason game won by Chilliwack, the Longhorns got revenge with an 18-14 win.
North Delta took an early lead on back to back majors, both off long runs.
Down 12-0 at halftime, Chilliwack rallied behind quarterback Gabe Olivares. The pivot hooked up with wideout Trey Isaac on a 60 yard pass-and-run TD.
The Longhorns answered right back with a major to make it 18-8.
Chilliwack got the last points, with a 45 yard Issac pass reception getting the Giants inside the 10 yard line.
Olivares finished the drive himself, finding paydirt from three yards out.
Running back Karan Deol was a key offensive contributor.
Several big runs forced the Longhorn D to adapt, opening things up for Chilliwack’s passing game.
Defensively, linebackers Austin Penner and Cam Lampart were solid, wreaking havoc behind disruptive defensive linemen Chris Derksen and Emerson Harvey.
Warren Rogers made plays all over the field.
— The junior bantam Giants had a rough start to their season, falling 36-0 to the Meadow Ridge Knights.
Led by quarterback Colin Campbell and running back Hudson Harvey, the Chilliwack offence moved ball. But finishing drives was a problem.
A 20-yard catch and run by Josh Balzer had the Giants inside the 15 yard line early, but they couldn’t punch it in.
The defence was led by tackling machine Cash Weich and hard hitting Justin Crooks.
“There were a lot of positives, and these young men showed true grit and determination,” said head coach Bryan Harvey. “We continued to move the ball and our defense made a lot of stops. We have to focus on blocking and tackling, and it will be a much different game when we play them again.”
— Chilliwack’s peewee Red Giants faced Meadow Ridge Gold in their opener, losing a 12-6 heartbreaker.
Chilliwack’s lone touchdown was scored by Logan Buchwitz, following a dazzling kick return by Dylan Hawkins.
The defence was lead by the fearless tackling of Jackson Saunders and Liam Poulton.
— The peewee Blue Giants gave up the tying touchdown in the final minute, settling for a 12-12 draw with Meadow Ridge Blue.
Kurtis Flynn scored two touchdowns and ran for tough yards all game long.
Fearless safety Dawson Weich led the defence, flying all over the field to force fumbles and knock down passes.
— The atom Blue Giants faced the North Langley Bears at Townsend Park, dropping a 28-14 decision.
DJ Stephens collected more than 100 yards on the ground, including a 70 yard touchdown run.
Quarterback Travis Richley completed passes to Carter Dallas and Matthew Phillips, and scored the second Chilliwack major on a QB keeper.
Linebackers Jace Nessel and Raiden Mastin were strong on defence.
