The Ballenas Whalers senior varsity football team will host the John Barsby Bulldogs for their annual Border Battle clash on Friday at 3:45 p.m.
It’s set to be another classic battle that doubles as a BC High School Football AA Coastal Conference game.
The Whalers are off to a good start this season and are currently 2-0. Their last game was a 22-15 win against the Argyle Pipers, a physical game head coach Jeremy Conn said took its toll on the Whalers. They expect a tough outing against the Bulldogs.
“This game is always exciting and you never really know what to expect, but for sure you can count on a hard-nosed physical game with a lot of intensity,” said Conn. “Both teams know weach other well and I am sure there will be some tricks up the sleeve come game day.”
Bulldogs head coach Rob Stevenson considers the Border Battle to be one of their most hard-fought games they play every year.
“Both programs bring their A-game to the field regardless of their previous records and the game is played with passion and physicality from start to finish,” said Stevenson.
READ MORE: Ballenas Whalers stop Argyle Pipers 22-15 in high school football clash
On offence, the Whalers will be led by quarterback Brayden Jupe, wide receiver Carter Brett and running back Kooper Chambers. On defence, Will Dubesky and Mason Muelleder will lead the way, with linebackers Rohan Barlow and defensive back Mark Filko, the Whalers’ top tacklers aiming to disrupt the flow of the Bulldogs offence.
On Wednesday, the Whalers junior varsity side travelled to Nanaimo to play their first conference game of the season against the Bulldogs. They started well, scoring the first touchdown to surprise the JV AA champions. Noah Silzer caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from Markus Neugebauer with Riley Wilson kicking in the convert. But the lead didn’t last long as the Bulldogs came storming back en route to a 36-7 win.
The junior Whalers host the AAA West Vancouver on Wednesday, Oct. 12 at Ballenas field at 2 p.m.
— NEWS Staff, with files from BCSS Football