From the what-doesn’t-kill-you-makes-you-stronger files comes word Ballenas Secondary School’s football teams are both heading into their regular season home openers this week hungry for a win after being served another slice of humble pie by AAA counterparts.
In West Van on Saturday as part of a B.C. High School Football doubleheader against the hometown Highlanders, the JV Whalers came up short 21-14 and the seniors lost 24-21 in another hard-played game.
“We played a lot better,” JV Whalers’ co-coach Jim Lynch said of his squad’s effort.
The Highlanders opened the scoring and Ballenas answered to take an 8-6 lead, but the hosts struck late in the second quarter for a 14-8 lead at the half.
Coltin Laplant led the charge for the junior Whalers with two touchdowns on the ground – the last one on the last play of the game from six yards out – and he also led the team in tackles at middle linebacker. Nick Cessford also earned extra props from his coach for his play at defensive end and left offensive tackle.
“We had a lot of kids that played well, and a few new players too,” said Lynch.
IN VARSITY ACTION, the senior Whalers took a 14-0 lead over the Highlanders on Saturday behind the passing of QB Liam O’Brien, who ran the ball in for two TDs.
West Van countered with two TDs through the air for a 14-14 tie at the half. O’Brien plunged across the goal line for his third on the day to give Ballenas the lead back, but West Van kicked a field goal after a blocked punt to cut it to 21-17, and with four minutes remaining Highlanders broke a long TD run to take a 24-21 lead.
According to Whalers’ head coach Jeremy Conn, O’Brien threw for 169 yards and completed a two-point convert to wideout Dallas Towle. Towle led the Whalers with five catches for 83 yards while adding another 50 yards on kick returns and picking up an interception on defence. Wide-out Scott Childs had eighth catches for 79 yards. O’Brien was also impressive on defence with two interceptions and several knock-down passes; inside linebackers Adam Droog and Matt Leonard led the D with five tackles apiece.
“I was really happy with the intensity the kids came out with in the 1st quarter as we really clicking,” said coach Conn. “But then we gave up two big plays and you could feel the loss of energy. At halftime we regrouped and had a good start, but when you have a blocked punt and a punt return for a TD it’s hard to win those close games. Overall I am happy that we are getting better, but we still need to find a way to play four quarters,” he surmised.
The JV’s home opener goes Wednesday (Sept. 19) when they host Mark Isfeld Ice from Courtenay in a 3:30 p.m. kickoff.
The Seniors host the Windsor Dukes on Saturday for their 2012 AA Western Conference home opener. Kickoff is 1 p.m.
