Quarterback Thomas Hyett threw five touchdown passes as the VSS Panthers ambushed the Valleyview Vikings of Kamloops 55-6 in Interior Senior Varsity AA Football Association play Friday night at Greater Vernon Athletics Park.
Caden Danbrook was Hyett’s favourite receiver, recording seven catches for 88 yards, including a pair of 10-yard scores.
Hyett, who passed for 175 yards, also connected with three other receivers for touchdowns. Zack Smith chipped in with three catches for 35 yards and a touchdown and went 2-for-3 passing for 64 yards in mop-up duty.
RELATED: Vernon Panthers ranked No.1 in B.C.
RELATED: Dinos high on Vernon Panthers
Trent Charlton registered his first touchdown of the season on a toe-tapping 30-yard strike at the back of the end zone, while Riley Macgillivray caught a 30-yard TD pass from Hyett.
VSS led 13-0 after one quarter, 48-0 at the half and 55-0 after three quarters in Vernon’s first league game of the season.
“I liked the way we moved the ball and got everyone involved in the offence,” said Panther head coach Sean Smith. “We had six different players catch a ball and six different players score a touchdown. Our O-line gave us great protection all night and Tommy was able to find the open man.”
Defensively, the Panthers held the Viking deep in their own territory most of the night. With strong winds swirling at the college turf field, the Vikings chose to gamble on occasion which shortened the field.
Trey Defoor led all Panther tacklers with six, while Drew Mackenzie chipped in with four to go along with a sack and interception. Kael Black recorded two sacks.
Charles Lemay rushed the ball five times for 50 yards and one TD, while Tristen Baker racked up 19 yards and a one-yard score on four touches.
The Panthers visit the South Kamloops Titans Friday night. The Fulton Maroons host Valleyview Friday night (7:30) on the college turf.
The Maroons lost 11-9 in overtime to the Westsyde Blue Wave Friday night in Kamloops
The teams were scoreless at the half and tied 3-3 at the end of regulation in a game featuring high winds.
Evan Trottier handled the Fulton scoring by kicking a 32-yard field goal and scoring a touchdown on a one-yard scamper.
Trottier threw nine passes, completing three for 35 yards, while Seth Pallister rang up 85 rushing yards on 16-touches.
“The wind had a factor for sure, and both defences played very aggressive, halting offensive football,” said Fulton head coach Mike Scheller. “Westsyde made a gutsy call going for two (points) after scoring first in OT. Give credit to them, they made one more play than we did and won the game. We scored, but could not make the two-point conversion.”
Ethan Schiman rushed three times for 16 yards, while Nate Foster posted one 15-yard catch.
Liam Gombrich recorded eight tackles for Fulton, while Logan Higgs, Brennan Kennedy and Carson Harrower each produced four. Pallister and Foster each had interceptions.
“We played hard and tough,” added Scheller. “We just cannot move the ball consistently on offence and we lack an ability to make big plays. We had our chances to take this game in regulation. I was happy with the way our kids played defensively. Defensive coaches Ethan Sculz and Bryan Cragg came up with a solid game-plan. They have a couple of fast players and we shut them down for most of the contest. Our kids were aggressive and tackled well.”
“Seth Pallister had his best game at safety and tailback. He made a nice interception and some great runs on offence. Nate Foster and Evan Trottier were also very solid in the secondary. The entire defensive line of Liam Gombrich, Logan Higgs, Brennan Kennedy and Carson Harrower were very solid. They put constant pressure on their QB and did a good job of stuffing the run. Our special teams were another bright note. We continue to make big plays on special teams and cover kicks quite well.”
@VernonNewssports@vernonmorningstar.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
