You hear that buzz?
It could be a late summer hive of bees stirring up a ruckus near Tenth Avenue and Sixth Street, but this buzz is more along the lines of a forceful movement and ensuing anticipation.
Local football fans have reason to be excited about this year’s New Westminster Hyacks, with last year’s impressive run to the B.C. semifinals, a provincial junior title, and recent exhibition victories adding to the ammunition. The players – a skilled mix of experience, youth and positional strengths – are poised and excited for the new season.
On Friday, the Hyacks put it all on the line in the B.C. High School senior AAA football season opener when they host Carson Graham, 7:30 p.m. at their annual Homecoming game at Mercer Stadium.
The team embraces its official launch, with pregame events and celebratory ambience. But head coach Farhan Lalji knows that while it’s a special night, his players need to be as prepared and focused for the on-field battle as if it was played on Mars.
“It’s a showcase event for the program, the school and community, because you get everyone there,” Lalji said of the Homecoming affair. “We certainly try to take the pressure off the players but they all know what it’s about. They’ve been there.”
Prior to getting ‘there,’ the Hyacks tuned up in the final exhibition game by dousing the G.W. Graham Grizzlies 51-19 last week, layering it on after stalling out on their first possession. Once they got going, the squad put on a show – racking up five touchdowns over 12 plays in the first half.
Seven different players counted touchdowns, beginning with Trew Dancey’s one-yard run on the team’s second possession. Sammy Sidhu followed that with a 64-yard dash, newcomer Prento Durigon hauled down a Kinsale Philip pass, and Mohammed Abdi carried the ball 18 yards for another major – all before the first quarter was done. The first three TDs were capped with two-point converts.
New West upped its lead to 37-0 in the second quarter when Philip connected with Shane Belsher on a 44-yard TD pass.
Graham got on the scoreboard off a 53-yard passing play, but the Hyacks came out in the second half and reclaimed the momentum on a pair of drives, with Lucas Sabau scoring on a four-yard run, and Broxx Comia driving in from five-yards out.
Belsher finished with 78 total yards receiving and 6-foot-5 tight end Durigon made two catches for 51 yards.
On defence, Sidhu recorded four tackles and a quarterback sack, while Connor Pattison tallied three tackles, an assist and a sack.
While the Grizzlies put up the final two touchdowns of the night – both in the fourth quarter – it didn’t take away from the dominating performance by the visitors.
“Graham is a good team and we knew they were missing a few key starters,” remarked Lalji. “But at the same time they have a pretty impressive line and they were all there. We were able to get a handle on that, and that was really the battle we needed to win.”
Also unleashed was Philip, who as a Grade 10 has claimed the starting QB role, edging out Gr. 12 Matthew Thind. He completed six of 12 pass attempts for 139 yards, including two for majors, and looked in control.
The Hyacks coach said the 5-foot-11 pivot who piloted last year’s junior team to a provincial championship proved his mettle during practice and exhibition tests.
“Kinsale is our starter. It wasn’t that he completely outplayed Matthew, but (Philip) earned it. We didn’t want to go out and say ‘Let (the battle for starting QB) play itself out’ to start the season.
“We did that in 2014 and gave the players a chance to take the job. But what happened was neither did. It didn’t work for the players and it didn’t work for the team.”
Another element that buoys hope for a strong playoff contender is how many weapons the club has in the backfield – with six legitimate ball carriers capable of leading a long march.
“We’re comfortable giving the ball to any of the six, and with the style of offence we run we need that,” said Lalji.
Sidhu, who was a standout last year with the juniors while also playing a role at the senior level, only got one carry but turned it into a 64-yard major. Sabau took the hand-off twice and rolled up 83 yards, including a 79-yard dash. Abdi, who like Durigon transferred to New West from Moscrop after that program folded, racked up 67 yards on four carries.
“Mohammed is new to the program but he’s got all the tools. There’s an adjustment coming here but he’s making an impact and working hard.”
In the end, hard work will reveal all. And it all starts Friday, 7:30 p.m. at Mercer Stadium.
