A loss is a loss, but the New Westminster Hyacks could count both of theirs in a different category.
Although head coach Farhan Lalji doesn’t accept moral victories, his senior AAA football team surely earned points by hanging on and providing undefeated No. 1-ranked Mount Doug its best test of the season in a 28-21 defeat on Friday.
Without five starters due to a variety of injuries and illnesses, New West ventured to Victoria not knowing what they’d encounter. But the defence stood firm and the offence took advantage of some lengthy runs to stay within striking distance.
“I’m very proud of my guys today, and it had nothing to do with who we played. We were very beat up coming in, and had guys plug and play into new spots, and they just kept battling all game,” said Lalji.
“They’re starting to come together and build character. We still have a lot of football ahead of us and I’m looking forward to seeing us play our best football in the weeks ahead.”
Mount Doug scored first, but Justin Swartz pulled down Nick Hauka’s 28-yard pass to put the Hyacks on the board. Hauka, substituting for starting quarterback Jamie Shiho, also counted a two-point convert to make it 8-8 in the first quarter.
After the Rams pushed ahead Gurvir Ghuman grinded out a 14-yard TD run.
When the Victoria squad grabbed a 22-15 advantage midway through the second quarter, no white flags went up. Instead, Hauka connected with Michael Thind for a 52-yard major to make it 22-21 at halftime.
Although Mount Doug scored the only TD of the second half, New West’s defence proved up to the task the rest of the way.
The Hyacks sit in a three-way tie for third place in the Western Conference at 1-2. They host Notre Dame, who also owns the same record, on Friday, 7:30 p.m. at Mercer Stadium.
