The Abbotsford Panthers improved to a perfect 2-0 in regular-season action with a dominant 34-0 win over the Centennial Centaurs at Panther Field on Saturday.
Running back Jalem Catlin was unstoppable, collecting 352 yards rushing and four touchdowns to pace the Panthers to the win.
Wide receiver Hayden Vermuelen scored the Panthers’ other major, as he connected with quarterback Austin Martin on a 15-yard catch. Martin threw for 63 yards, with David Corronado leading all receivers with two catches for 44 yards.
The Panthers’ defence pitched a shutout, with Silverstro Aging collecting a team-high five tackles. Blake Neufeld and Vermeulen both grabbed interceptions.
Abbotsford sits in a three-way tie atop the AAA’s Eastern Conference, and has outscored the opposition 48-12 in the two games. The Panthers have not yet tasted defeat in 2019, as the club also won both of its exhibition games.
Abbotsford next takes on the Lord Tweedsmuir Panthers (1-1) in Surrey on Friday. They don’t return home until Oct. 19, when the Terry Fox Ravens come to town.
In other AAA action, the W.J. Mouat Hawks wrapped up their exhibition schedule with an 8-7 loss to the Windsor Dukes in North Vancouver. The Hawks finished the exhibition run at 1-3.
Mouat, the last team to open the regular season in the AAA, hosts the Nanaimo District (1-1) on Friday. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.
Over in the AA, the Robert Bateman Timberwolves improved to 2-2 in exhibition play with a big 49-20 win over South Kamloops on Friday.
Bateman’s balanced offence saw quarterback Ty Martens throw two touchdown passes and run for two himself. Running back Phoenix Moller added three of his own.
The game marked the first loss of 2019 for South Kamloops, as the Titans had won all three of their previous exhibition games.
Bateman wraps up the exhibition schedule on Friday, when they take on the Argyle Pipers in North Vancouver. The Wolves open the regular season on Oct. 11, when Langley Secondary comes to town.
For more information on all the teams, visit bchighschoolfootball.com.
