The undefeated Vernon Yellow Jackets shut out the Kelowna Dragons 40-0 in Southern Interior Pee Wee Football Conference action Sunday at the Mission Sports Fields.
The Vernon defence recorded its sixth straight shutout and held the Dragon offence to negative yards. Isaiah Ondrik was all over the field and led all tacklers with 11.
“Our defence continues to force teams backwards which gives our offence great field position,” said Jackets’ head coach Bryan Cragg. “Isaiah was a beast out there. He was a disruptive force in the backfield all day and was able to use his speed to track down their backs on the sideline.”
The Yellow Jackets opened the scoring when Bryce Tkachuk took a screen pass 21 yards to the end zone. A few plays later, Liam Glennon booted a 16-yard field goal to put Vernon up 11-0.
In the second quarter, Tkachuk used his speed to outrun the Kelowna defence for a 45-yard scamper. On the ensuing drive, Matthew Reich topped Tkachuk’s run by three yards to put the Jackets in control 26-0 at the half.
After a scoreless third quarter, Thomas Sattherwaite took a handoff 25 yards to the end zone. The game ended on an 85-yard reception from Zack Smith to Ondrik.
The 10-0 Yellow Jackets won the Conference title and secured a first-round bye in the playoffs, which begin next week.
“We have had a great run in the regular season and I’m hoping we can maintain our level of play throughout the playoffs,” said Cragg.
The Vernon Marauders mauled the Kelowna Dragons 36-12 in Junior Bantam play Sunday at the Mission Sports Fields.
Zack Rogers was the Marauders’ most potent weapon with two touchdowns and 64 yards rushing. Connor Manahan supplied the third rushing TD, punching it in from the one-yard line after a great 25-yard solo effort on the preceding play.
The other two Vernon TDs were both passes, one from Keegan Vickund to Dylan Huber for 20 yards, and the other from Tyler (Ducky) Sova to Vicklund for 65 yards.
Sebastian Sanchez was good on 3-of-5 convert attempts to round out the scoring.
“Morgan Nichols made two punts over 40 yards,” said Marauder head coach Ron Kirschner. “That gain in field position really made a difference for us today.”
Guards Landon Fitt and Miles Forrest also had solid games for the offence.
On defence, Josh Hyer was the standout with eight tackles, a pass rush and a fumble recovery. Isaac Olsen and Koalden Oakden each had five tackles, Reid (Pinball) Mackenzie and Brayden Bevans both had four tackles and Sam Knox had one sack and a fumble recovery to celebrate his 13th birthday.
Joe Bateman and Jacob Zyri were also solid for the defence. The Marauders face the Kamloops Broncos in quarterfinal play Sunday at Grahame Park (1 p.m.).
The Vernon Magnums fell 24–7 to the Langley Stampeders in B.C. Midget Football League action Sunday at Grahame Park.
“The fans were treated to a thrilling and hard-hitting game featuring exceptional running and passing components through all four quarters,” said Magnum head coach Bill (Lumpy) Tarr.
Fullback Clayton Coles scored Vernon’s only TD by powering the ball over 50 yards on six plays.
Vernon phenom tailback Colton Klein ran the ball superbly with the help of a dominating Magnum offensive line to keep the Langley offence starting deep in their own zone for most of the game.
The Stampeder pass game was the difference with all of their scores coming through the air.
“Our entire team has made some significant improvements in effort and execution over the past two weeks,” said Tarr. “Although we did not get the W, it was a great last regular-season home game to watch for our fans.”
The Magnums visit North Langley for their last regular-season game Saturday.
