Midget football’s version of civil war broke out at McLeod Stadium Sunday, as Langley’s North met South in 12-man action.
In the end, the Langley Stampeders (the South) came away with a 22-7 win over North Langley Kodiaks.
The teams were tied with five wins apiece going into the game.
The Stamps drew first blood with a third down kick for a single by Kyle Clarot.
Later, starting at the 35 yard line, the Stamps marched into Kodiak territory.
North Langley’s defence forced a third down kicking situation. A fake kick by Clarot and a great run resulted in a touchdown for the Stamps, as the first quarter ended with Langley ahead by an 8-0 count.
During the second stanza, both teams killed opposition drives with pass interceptions at key times, and most of the action occured between the 35 yard lines.
The Bears received the kickoff to start the third quarter, but were forced into a third and long kicking situation to end the series by the Stampeders’ defence.
After a kick return took the ball to the Stamps’ 53 yard line, Langley embarked on another long drive.
Eight plays later, Langley’s Azuka Okoli scored on a three yard plunge. The convert was successful, putting the Stamps into a 15-0 lead.
The fourth quarter opened with Kodiaks returning a Stampeders’ kick to the Langley four-yard marker. Two plays later they hit the end zone for a touchdown, on a 15 yard touchdown scamper by Mitchell Byrne.
The Stampeders answered quickly.
Starting at the Kodiaks’ 49 yard line, the Stamps manufactured a six-play drive that culminated with Owen Jenkins plowing across the goal line for Stamps’ third major of the day, making the score 22-7.
The Bears countered with a drive of their own.
Taking to the air, North Langley completed two nice passes to move into Stampeders’ territory.
But the Kodiaks’ third passing attempt was intercepted by Nathan Murray, his third pick of the game, on the Stampeders’ one yard line.
Stampeders quarterback Devante Wilson then took a couple of knees to run out the game clock as time elapsed.
The win places the Stampeders in sole possession of first place in the hotly contended midget division.
Next up for the Stamps is a road game versus the Coquitlam Falcons.
