JAMES CLARKE
sports@pqbnews.com
Heeeeee’s baaack.
Starting senior tailback Tysen Hunt marked his return to the lineup on home field with an exclamation mark Saturday as the Ballenas Whalers pasted the Argyle Pipers 51-0.
The six-foot, 200 pounder, who had major knee surgery in the off season, was playing his first game in almost a year, and his 35 yard touchdown romp up the middle six plays into the Whalers first offensive series marked the first of seven Whaler majors on the day.
“He had compounding injuries so he played pretty much all of last year on a bad knee,” explained Whalers’ head coach Jeremy Conn, confirming Hunt’s return to the lineup is great news for the team as it steers course towards the playoffs.
“He’s our captain, and you could definitely feel the boost in the energy level — he brings a physical presence to the team,” said Conn, adding “he’s a big athletic kid, and he also brings lot of leadership and experience.”
A standout with the JV’s for two years, Hunt’s last start was the varsity Whalers playoff game against Mission in the semifinals last year. Saturday marked the final appearance on home turf for Hunt (and 11 of his teammates), and to that end he certainly looked like he was having fun out there as he flattened more than one would-be tackler, rushing for 75 yards and the TD on seven carries.
“We didn’t know if he was going to be able to play at all this year,” Conn said after the dust had settled, adding “but he’s been doing a lot of physio and we’ve been keeping him out until now — we had this game targeted as a good game to make his comeback, and he was cleared to play.”
The Whalers led 37-0 at the half. The Pipers, from North Van, showed some pluck but were clearly overmatched.
“’Gun’na be a quiet bus ride home for those boys,” one dad surmised from the sidelines. The Pipers, in only their second season in the league, lost 33-0 to NDSS the week before.
THE NUMBERS GAME
Saturday’s win was definitely by committee.
Dallas Towle was on a tear, pulling in three touchdown catches for 92 yards receiving, and adding a 50-yard punt return for a TD to go along with two interceptions.
“That’s a good day,” chuckled Conn.
Scott Childs had four catches for 82 yards and two TDS, and he also had a 65 yard punt return for the major.
Quarterback Liam O’Brien was 6-for-6 for 160 yards in the air and four touchdown passes — both season highs — and he also had another interception on defence.
Asked how they approach games like Saturday where they know they will have the upper hand, Conn was clear that “for us it’s to play the best we can play. We’re trying to build consistency. It’s still all about teamwork, right.”
JV call-up Coltin Laplante stepped up with an interception and four tackles. Nick Walter had three carries for 56 yards and added seven tackles on defence. Josh Bishop had seven tackles and an interception.
O’Brien was given the second half off, and backup quarterback Josh Bouchard threw an 18-yard TD strike to Childs in the 3rd quarter.
“We played good in all areas,” said Conn, pointing out the Whalers pulled down five interceptions on the day, “but there’s still definitely some things that need to get fixed, especially on special teams.”
GAME ON
The Varsity Whalers are in Victoria on Friday for a 5 p.m. kickoff against the Bulldogs from Belmont.
“It’s going to be a good test,” said Conn. They’re a big school with big kids, we just have to try to out execute them.”
IN AA JR VARSITY action, the Whalers, who are coming off a bye, travel to Bear Mountain Friday to take on the Belmont Bulldogs in a key Island Conference matchup.
