The Moscrop Panthers capped an undefeated B.C. high school football season, winning their first-ever provincial Tier II title.
The Panthers ran away from Howe Sound in the opening half en route to a 34-6 victory over Howe Sound in the championship final at Burnaby Sports Complex-West on Friday.
“I’m just so excited for the guys,” said Moscrop head coach Craig Bymoen. “We set some goals this year. It was about finishing each and every play as well as we could and let the scoreboard take care of itself.
“I was happy they met those challenges and they worked out.”
Hamed Ghias scored two rushing touchdowns in the first half, while Andrew Jones tallied his first of two scores on a 35-yard pitch pass from Abdinasir Abdi with just five seconds left in the second quarter.
Andrew Johnson also tallied, keeping possession of the ball off the back of a prone Howe Sound defender on a 15-yard toss from Panthers’ quarterback Ari Ali into the end zone for what turned out to be the game-winning score.
The win was Moscrop’s first provincial grid title and second trip to a Tier II final. In 2009, the Panthers lost to Timberline in the championship game.
Earlier this season, the Panthers also defeated Argyle’s AA football team 35-7 in an exhibition match.
But moving up to AA ball isn’t in Moscrop’s future plans, said Bymoen, owing to traditionally low turnout numbers and the lack of minor feeder programs.
This season Moscrop put together a winning season with just 27 players, including six juniors.
“It was more about stepping back and watching their happiness and how it unfolded,” said Bymoen of the win. “We’re trying to build football into something boys want to play at Moscrop.”
