The Pitt Meadows Marauders senior boys’ football team dug itself a hole it couldn’t get out of Saturday, falling 29-22 to the Seaquam Seahawks on the road in exhibition action.
The Marauders let the Seahawks dominate the first half of the game, as the home team took a 29-0 lead into the second half.
Head coach Matt Todd said his squad came out flat, and made uncharacteristic mistakes.
“Players were missing assignments and forgetting their responsibilities,” he said. “They weren’t giving us anything we hadn’t seen before, the kids just weren’t ready to play.”
However, a very different Marauders team took the field in the second half. A sack by Colton Davies for a 12-yard loss, and a key block by Tanner Hartley helped swing momentum in the Marauders’ favour in the third quarter.
“By half time the kids figured out what they had to do,” said Todd.
Despite three touchdowns in the second half, the Marauders were unable to find a fourth to draw even, losing by seven points.
“I think the guys learned a lot from this game,” said Todd. “That will help us later in the season.”
Quarterback and strong safety Joe Schuster got things done on both side of the ball. Schuster picked up 116 yards passing, including one touchdown, and 46 yards rushing, while notching five tackles and an interception on defence.
“He’s a versatile player,” said Todd. “He can use his arms as well as his legs.”
Hartley led the offence with 102 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Anthony Gagnon made four receptions for 50 yards, including one touchdown. Callum Williamson had the biggest play of the day, with a 50-yard reception.
On defence, Matt Chichka had eight tackles, while Ben Zabierek had six. Hartley had four tackles and a sack.
