Ballenas’ varsity football team clinched a playoff spot last Saturday in North Van with a 48-13 win over the Argyle Pipers.
And while it was a big win for the blue and white, head coach Jeremy Conn still voiced some concerns.
“On defence we had too many mistakes and blown assignments,” he said. “We have to play better than that if we are going to be successful in the playoffs.”
The win lifts the senior team to 3-2, tied with the Windsor Dukes for third place in the seven-team Western Conference.
Leading the way for the Whalers was tailback Thomas Franks, who piled up 158 yards and two TDs on the ground on 11 carries. Fullback Coltin Laplante also had two running touchdowns.
Quarterback Garrin McDonnell threw three big TD strikes to receiver Scott Childs — hitting his favourite target on plays of 80, 32 and 65 yards. Childs finished with three catches for 177 yards. Childs was also a ball hawk on defence, intercepting three Argyle passes and returning one 35 yards for another touchdown.
Leading the tacklers was linebacker Josh Bouchard who had nine tackles, and Laplante chipped in with six.
“I was very happy with our offence again,” said Conn, “and Argyle was able to make some good plays on offence and are to be commended for finishing the season strong.”
GAME ON
The Whalers will be looking to improve their playoff positioning on Saturday when they host the 4-1 Carson Graham Eagles in their final home game of the season. A Western Conference clash for playoff seeding, the game is sure to be a battle.
“I’m not sure how it (will) all work out, but right now we need to focus on fixing our mistakes and then we will look at taking on Carson,” said Conn. “They are a very good team and we are the underdogs for sure.”
Kickoff is 1 p.m.
THINGS DIDN’T GO quite so well for the JV Whalers who were blasted 45-0 at home by the powerhouse Mt. Doug Rams from Victoria last Wednesday. The JV Whalers, 2-1 in conference play, take to the field for their final home game of the season on Thursday when they host the 0-3 NDSS Islanders. Kickoff is 3 p.m.