Score round one of the battle of Abbotsford to the Panthers.
Abbotsford Senior wrapped up its preseason schedule, defeating the Robert Bateman Timberwolves 27-5 at Bateman Field on Saturday.
The Panthers opened up a 10-5 lead at the half, and then turned on the offence in the second half to earn the win.
Bateman held Panther star running back Samwell Uko to under 100 yards rushing and kept him out of the end zone, and Abbotsford Senior quarterback John Madigan turned it on.
He threw a 60-yard touchdown to Tanner Marquardt in the first half, and then tossed a 25-yard major to Reece Morrison in the second half. Owen Parker added a pair of field goals, and Morrison scored another touchdown after catching a pass from Grade 9 quarterback Ethan Anderson.
Defensively, the Panthers were led by Maasin Thompson, who had a team-high six tackles. Linebacker Gino Mayes added a pair of sacks.
The game ended the preseason for both clubs, with Abbotsford going a perfect 4-0 and Bateman finishing at 2-2.
The Timberwolves open the AA regular season in Chilliwack on Friday against the G.W. Graham Grizzlies. The club’s home opener is on Oct. 14 against Argyle.
The Panthers debut in AAA on Friday when they host West Vancouver.
In other local high school football action, the W.J. Mouat Hawks fell to 0-2 on the season after losing 57-0 to the Terry Fox Ravens on Friday in Coquitlam.
Defensive lineman Gary Ghag led the Hawks defensively with six tackles and one sack.
The Hawks host their regular season home opener on Friday, when the Kelowna Owls come to town. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Mouat Field.
