No matter whose number the Vernon Magnums called Sunday, the play worked wonders.
The Magnums ambushed the host Kamloops Broncos 46-0 in Southern Interior Pee Wee Football League action at Hillside Stadium with seven receivers getting touches.
Quarterbacks Zack Smith (3-for-5, 59 yards, one touchdown) and Ethan Anderson (5-for-8 and 70 yards) spread the ball around with Matthew Reich catching a 20-yard strike for the longest score.
“I liked that we were able to get a lot of players involved in the offence,” said Vernon head coach Sean Smith.
“Liam Glennon scored his first career touchdown off a reverse, Dawson Dunlop made his first catch and Kevin Morgan made a great catch over the middle. We’ve got a lot of kids that can make plays and our quarterbacks were able to get the ball in their hands.”
The Magnums scored on every possession (six touchdowns) and held the Broncos to negative yards offensively. Defensively, Smith led all tacklers with six while Reich added five (including two sacks) and Taber McLean contributed four.
“We were firing on all cylinders and it gave our seconds a chance to get extensive game action and contribute on both sides of the ball. The boys are developing great practice habits and it is showing when they step onto the field.”
The Magnums (3-0) host the Salmon Arm Mustangs Sunday at Grahame Park (noon).
In Atom play, the Magnums were stopped 45-20 by the Kamloops Broncos.
The Magnums allowed three touchdowns before they even wiped the sleep from their eyes in an early 9 a.m. start. The Magnums’ offence did finally wake up, led by quarterback Kolby Thorpe with 164 yards and two TDs on 17 carries, and runningback Colin Charlton, with 101 yards and a TD on 16 carries.
However, the defence could not stop the high-powered Broncos’ offence which seemingly scored at will. The lone bright spot on defence was a Ryland Croswell fumble recovery.
“We didn’t do a good enough job with our tackling and ball pursuit,” said Magnum coach Tim Thorpe. “We have two weeks to improve and prepare for the No. 1 team in the league; we’ll be better for this game.”
The Junior Bantam Magnums bowed 18-9 to the Broncos in a tough defensive struggle.
In a first half that only saw a handful of first downs by either team, the Kamloops passing game was kept in check by defensive backs Tristan Baker and Isaac Olson.
Miles Forrest and Dorian Weeks also played solid on dee with four tackles and one sack apiece. Forrest blocked a point after. It was scoreless at the break.
Kamloops opened the third quarter with a 50-yard catch and run TD. The Magnums tried to claw back with some hard running by Riley Macgillivary and Olson, but couldn’t manage to keep the Kamloops defensive line out of their backfield.
Rookie Seb Wenger recovered two fumbles by Kamloops punt returners in the last five minutes, giving the Magnums hope before the Broncos registered two quick scores.
The Magnums look to rebound against the Salmon Arm Colts Sunday at Grahame Park.
