Parksville’s Jr. Varsity Whalers kickstarted their double-A season on home field last Thursday with a 56-0 thrashing of the NDSS Islanders.
“We played very well, but they were short manned — they came to the park missing 10 guys to injury, but our guys played excellent,” BSS first year JV head coach Mike Di Giacomo said of the Island conference showdown.
Thursday’s game marked one of their six regular season games.
The Whalers scored five unanswered touchdowns in the opening half and rolled to the win, led on offence by tailback Thomas Franks who ran for four touchdowns.
“I think we only threw three passes all day,” said Mike, who had props for Elijah Hertel who was platooned at left tackle and at fullback for the first time on offence, where he ran two in for TDs, and for Adam Droog “who was an emergency replacement at centre, and he did very well — he’s also a linebacker and was stellar on defence as well.”
Quarterback Josh Bouchard was strong behind centre as usual and continues to be a force on defence as well.
First year player, Gr. 10 lineman Rory Knapton, “played very well... actually a lot of guys played very well.”
Defensive end Kaleb Magnasson had a strong game, and Gr. 9 fullback/linebacker Colton La Plante was flying around tackling people on defence “and making some nice rushes on offense.”
THE JR WHALERS next league game is scheduled for Oct. 6 against the Mark Isfeld Ice, who have now folded, which means the next time they take to the filled for conference play will be Oct. 12 at home against the John Barsby Bulldogs.
“Get ready for Barsby,” coach Mike said quickly when asked what they’ll be doing on the off week.
The JV’s are home this Saturday for an exhibition game against the West Van Highlanders.