The Salmon Arm Chargers and North Langley Bears battled at Hillside Stadium in Kamloops last Saturday for the provincial bantam football title.
The North Langley Bears (12 – 0), were the heavy favourites coming into the final against the Salmon Arm Chargers (8 – 1 – 1).
Both teams took advantage of early mistakes by the opposing team.
North Langley took an early lead after scoring two touchdowns.
Salmon Arm fought back with a 30-yard scamper by running back Tyler Chartier and a fumble recovery in the end zone by defensive end Matthew Nesdoly.
With the score 13 to 12 late in the first quarter, North Langley increased their lead when Zander Bailey, running back for the Bears, and Team B.C., scored on a three-yard run play.
The second half saw Salmon Arm suffer a series of injuries to key players.
Although both the offence and the defence played hard, the Chargers could not overcome the adversity of playing with a limited roster.
The Bears took full advantage.
The BC Community Football Association (BCCFA) MVP was awarded to the Chargers’ quarterback, Jason Mourato, and the BCCFA Most Sportsman Like award went to the Chargers’, Jacob Zyri.
Player of the game honours went to Tyler Chartier, who played hard on both sides of the ball, but suffered an ankle injury early in the third quarter.
The Salmon Arm Chargers, which represent the second smallest football community in the BCCFA, did their hometown proud by giving an inspired effort versus a very strong North Langley team.
“The best match of the day was the Bantam Chargers who left it all out on the field, doing all they could, to match up with the North Langley Bears. What an awesome battle to watch,” said a BCCFA Executive.
