The Ballenas Whalers senior varsity football team blanked the host Windsor Dukes 16-0 in BC High School Football action on a rain-filled Friday afternoon (Oct. 16).
It was a win that the Whalers needed after a difficult loss John Barsby Bulldogs in their annual Border Battle more than a week ago.
The Whalers improved to 3-2 to rank fourth in the AA Coastal Division standings behind leaders Langley Saints, who are still unbeaten this season.
Head coach Dan Smith said defence was key to the Whalers win as playing conditions were wet and cold slowing down the offence from both teams.
“Our kids adjusted pretty well,” said Smith. “It was a defensive game given the weather conditions. Offensively we moved the ball when we needed to. We had to go more on our running game.”
The Whalers grabbed the early lead when Jonah Anderson blocked a punt that ended up on the 24-yard line. Quarterback Ryker Sansbury scored on a two-yard keeper with Gage De Lerma adding a two-point convert.
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With both teams playing well defensively, there were not many scoring opportunities.
The Whalers earned their second touchdown in the second half. On fourth down, just one yard shy of a first down, instead of sneaking up the middle, Sansbury went outside for a 30-yard TD run. He also had the two-point convert.
The Whalers defence frustrated the Dukes offence. Lineman Enzo Agostini led the Whalers with six tackles and two fumble recoveries. Kooper Chambers had five tackles.
Ayden Chambers rushed for 80 yards on 17 carries while Sansbury carried the ball nine times for 75 yards.
“A win is a win and the kids made good adjustments this week to shut down the Windsor offence,” said coach Jeremy Conn. “But we need to be more disciplined and execute better no mater what the weather is like.”
This week, the Whalers play a formidable foe Robert Bateman Timberwolves, who are ranked No. 2 in the AA Coastal Division, at Ballenas field on Friday, Oct. 22 at 12:30 p.m.