The Ballenas Junior Varsity Whalers crushed the visiting Holy Cross Crusader 52-0 in their high school football conference game held at the Nanaimo District Secondary artificial field on Wednesday afternoon.
From start to finish, the Whalers just didn’t let up even when they were ahead on points. Offensively and defensively they dominated the Crusaders, who never got the chance to execute any of their game plan.
Head coach Dan Smith said he was happy with the way the Whalers kept their focus that never waned despite building up a huge lead.
“The other team did not execute well but we did,” said Smith. “Sometimes when you’re playing a team that’s not playing good, you tend to play down a level but we didn’t. They came out with confidence and were ready to play.”
The young Whalers improved their record to 3-1 in Division AA West and are in second place behind arch-rivals John Barsby who are 4-0 so far this season.
The Whalers were missing some key players due to injuries but everyone stepped up, which Smith commended. He felt the boys were having fun as they were able to execute their aggressive running game well and also applies some of their passing game that they turn into touchdowns.
“We got some kids that are good athletes and we can be a threat throwing the ball,” said Smith. “I was very proud of our offensive line because we needed to be able to run the ball effectively and they did an awesome job.”
Leading the offence was Gage de Lerma who was unstoppable running the ball to score several touchdowns. Reme Walker caught a touchdown pass from Bruce McCabe and also ran a reverse in. Ryker Pearson returned a punt for a touchdown.
With the win, the Whalers secured their spot in the playoffs. Smith said this is no time to rest on their laurels. He told the boys that they need to be playoff-ready.
This week the junior Whalers will play one more conference game and will travel to North Vancouver to take on the Argyle Pipers at Griffin Park on Nov. 2.
The Ballenas Senior Varsity Whalers didn’t play last week but still earned a win when Howe Sound forfeited their game on Friday.
That gave the Whalers their second win in the Western AA Conference with two losses to place fourth overall.
They will also play Argyle Pipers on Nov. 1 in North Vancouver in a must win game to earn their spot in the playoffs.
