The Ballenas Whalers junior and senior varsity football teams came up with wins last week that set the tone for their much-anticipated Border Battle against arch-nemesis John Barsby Bulldogs this week.
The JV Whalers travelled to Surrey and secured a dominating 36-8 win against Holy Cross Crusaders in a conference game Sept. 25, while the SV Whalers blanked the visiting Frank Hurt Hornets 34-0 in an exhibition game on Friday, Sept. 27 at Ballenas field.
Against the Crusaders, the JV Whalers took control from the opening snap and by halftime had a comfortable 24-0 lead. They padded their lead with two more touchdowns in the second half to secure the win that gave them a share of top spot with G.W. Graham on top of the AA Mainland Division with two wins and no losses.
“They played pretty consistently in four quarters,” said head coach Dan Smith. “They were loose and ready to play. They came out really strong.”
Quarterback Ryker Pearson went 11-for-13 for 98 yards with two touchdowns. He also rushed 11 yards, scored a touchdown and had one sack on defence.
Ayden Chambers ran the ball 10 times for 106 yards and a touchdown. He also caught the ball twice for 21 yards. Gage D’Lerma rushed for 68 yards on four carries and had a touchdown. Brayden Jupe had four catches for 35 yards, a touchdown and two tackles.
Kooper Chambers carried the ball twice for 30 yards and had four tackles. Rio Shoda-Dooher had four tackles and a sack while Reme Conway, William Dubesky and Mark Filko each had three tackles.
The SV Whalers despite missing some of their key players on Friday, easily stopped the Hornets but coaches weren’t happy with the penalties they took.
Coach Jeremy Conn said that they showed lack of discipline as they squandered some key moments that included one of Jayden Haftner’s two interception touchdowns. He stressed the need to work on their discipline “as it’s going to cost us later in the year.”
Steven Boley returned to the Ballenas backfield and scored three touchdowns and run for 121 yards on just eight carries. German exchange student Lennart Tjarks added 68 yards rushing including a 42-yard run up the middle.
Quarterback Ben Chomolok was 7-for-13 passing for 87 yards.
“We were hoping to complete more passes but the wind was really a factor in this game, along with Frank Hurt who is to be commended as they have really improved a lot and played a good clean game,” said Conn
Adrian Friesen and Jacob Stockton led the team with five tackles each and Matt Muellder added another four tackles.
Smith said they’re now going to be focussing on the Border Battle against the Bulldogs this week. The JV Whalers will take on the JV Bulldogs at the Ballenas field 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday. Then on Friday, it’s the SV Whalers turn to host the Bulldogs at 3:15 p.m.
The Bulldogs currently hold the Border Battle trophy having beaten the Whalers last year. Ballenas aims to redeem themselves this year. A bet between the principal of Ballenas Secondary Rudy Terpstra and John Barsby principal Jane Reynolds has been laid, said Smith.
“Our principal and the Barsby principal will be wearing their jerseys in Friday’s game,” said Smith. “The losing principal has to wear the winner’s jersey in the school for a whole week.”