Morning Star Staff
It was their final exhibition game and the Fulton Maroons found out they have solid depth after shelling the Valleyview Vikings 39-8 in Interior Senior AA Varsity Football League action Friday night at Hillside Stadium in Kamloops.
Fulton led 25-0 at the half, getting touchdowns from Cole Hunter, on a 41-yard rush, Evan Trottier with field goals from 20 and 38 yards and two extra points, Koalden Gudeit-Oakden on a three-yard scamper and Alan Bargaso with a six-yard scamper.
“We wanted to play as many players as we could and we were able to,” said Fulton head coach Mike Scheller. “I credit Valleyview. They were scrappy and hard working. We had the experience and size factor and they fought. It was a good game for us in that our starters got some rest and our back-ups played hard. It was a positive experience for our kids. Evan Trottier stepped in at QB and played very well for us. He directed all but one drive and got better as the game went on. He was able to hit a clutch 38-yard field goal to end the first half.”
Caden Doyle caught a 35-yard touchdown pass from Trottier to jumpstart the third-quarter offence. Teigen Derkach scored on a 10-yard run with Trottier booting one convert.
Nate Banga and JJ Heaton each rang up five tackles, while Ike Olson and Ryan Rumsey each registered four.
“We had a lot of different players carry the ball for us, and they did well,” added Scheller. “Alan Bargaso had some solid runs. starting wide receiver Teigen Derkach had a very good game, racking up some rushing yards, and he made a couple of key receptions. He finally got into the end zone for us, and we could not be happier. He is a great kid who works hard in practice for us every day. I was happy with the play of Liam Funk, Logan Higgs and Brennan Kennedy on the O-line. These guys led the way for our rushing attack…Our defensive coaching staff of Bryan Cragg, Ethan Schulz and Ben Olson have done a really good job transforming our defence.”
