Davron Polok supplied three rushing touchdowns as the Fulton Maroons brushed back the host Seaton Sonics 48-16 in Southern Interior Junior Varsity High School Football League action Tuesday afternoon at MacDonald Park.
Polok had runs of 60, 10 and 15 yards for his scores, along with a pair of two-point converts, helping the Maroons to a 36-0 halftime lead.
Caleb McCuaig found the endzone twice, once on a 70-yard pass from Tye Kitzman, and once on a 55-yard kickoff return.
Luc Mitchell, scoring his first-ever TD on a six-yard rush, Layne Greene, on a 75-yard punt return, and a two-point convert by Trevor Feeney, completed Fulton’s offence.
“Except for a couple of little mistakes, I thought we played a smart, tough football game. We are decreasing our mental errors and mistakes, and that is the mark of a solid team,” said Fulton head coach Mike Scheller, who credited coaches Cole Tucker, Kevin Stecyk and Roger Scales for preparing the squad in practice.
“We were a little stronger than Seaton today, so it gave us an opportunity to use our bench extensively. So, it was positive from an overall team standpoint.”
Seaton tailback Taylor Maxwell and fullback Noah Ufimzeff supplied Seaton’s touchdowns, both on rushes. Erick Stefansson, a tightend, chipped in with a pair of two-point converts.
With go-to receiver Brent Matterson not dressed, the Sonics were forced to rely more on their ground game. Coach Ryan Reid credited quarterback Micah Lockhart for “leading the troops in some tough situations.
“The guys did a good job of rebounding in the second half,” said Reid. “It was a good opportunity for the kids who had never played before to get into a game.”
Offensive/defensive lineman Adam Reczka, one of only five Seaton returnees, is proving to be both a force on the field and leader for the newcomers.
“He has pretty much been a coach on the field,” said Reid. “With so many new kids he has really taken on the role of a leader, and he never gets down on anyone.”
Polok ended with 133 yards on five carries, Greene had 30 yards on four touches and Kitzman went 1-for-3 in the air.
On defence, Feeney led Fulton with eight tackles and a fumble recovery, Greene had seven tackles, Justin Marchand earned four and Eric Brawn supplied three. Ben Aspenleider had an interception.
“Special teams wise, we were able to score twice on returns, which was great. It was great to see Luc Mitchell get into the endzone. He is a class kid who works his tail off in practice, and is respected by his teammates,” said Scheller.
Fulton corners Jeremy Pogue and Antoine Torossian were close in coverage and did a good job of supporting the run, Adam Wagner had a solid two-way game, and linebackers Ryan Buick and Romello Coufal controlled the inside.
“Offensive linemen Lucky Banga and Bailey Griffin led our rushing attack all afternoon,” added Scheller.
In other action, the Valleyview Vikings brushed back the VSS Panthers 32-26 in overtime, Tuesday in Kamloops.
The Panthers led 26-18 at the half, getting TD runs of 40 and 50 yards from Zac Kronbauer, a 60-yard ramble by Travis Froom and a 10-yard scamper by Jon Garvie.
The Cats lost Kronbauer and fellow tailback Brandon Richter to injuries in the second half and struggled to move the ball.
VSS fumbled inside their 20-yard line late in the fourth quarter and the Vikes tied it up and won in overtime.
The VSS defence was led by Braydon Lodder with 12 tackles and Dylan Cleland and Jaxon Toth, with nine apiece.
“I was proud of how our defence stepped up with Lodder, Cleland and Mitchell Pepper making key tackles,” said Cats’ head coach Dave Tetrault. “We will try to get healthy and strong for our next match-up versus South Kamloops (Titans) next Thursday in Kamloops.”
In senior AA games this Saturday, the Maroons host South Kamloops (2 p.m., Grahame Park), while VSS visits the Kalamalka Lakers (11 a.m.).
