SR. Varsity: West Van 22 - Handsworth 35

It is always tough to end the season with a loss, but the West Vancouver Varsity Highlanders Football team competed all the way to the end. Coach Anderson, Coach Dourandish, Coach Franco and all of the other coaches are very proud of our team.

Injuries are sadly always part of the game. During this year we were stung hard by non-football related injuries and in-game injuries. The West Van Varsity Highlanders consistently had players stepping up and playing with a tenacity that hasn’t been seen at West Van for a long time.

The coaches are already looking forward to next year and building on the success of this year with our promising group of grade 11s. For the grade 12's this was a successful season with at season end 4-3 record (technically 5-3 with the Salmon Arm forfeit).

Offensively, West Van had a tough time moving the ball on the ground and relied on Grade 12 Quarterback Ben Corbett's arm and pocket mobility to move the team down the field. This was definitely not the first time the team relied on Ben's arm and passing prowess to move the ball and he delivered as usual. Ben ended up throwing for over 180 yards and 2 touchdowns and also adding one more touchdown on the ground by muscling in from the 1 yard line with a late game QB sneak.

Wide Reciever Ethan Johnston made plays all day. Ethan converted on 3rd and 4th downs in key situations. He ended up catching 6 passes for 62 yards and a TD, but the statistics told tell the story of the fight and desire in each catch. Ethan was named the "Hard Hat" player of the game for his great game play.

Defensively, once again Ryerson Wallace led the team in tackles with 11. Ryerson's nose for the ball, agility and ability to tackle was once again on display. There hasn't been a game this season where Ryerson has either led the team in tackles, made huge play or both.

Full credit to Handsworth for the win. They took advantage on a few key big plays when they needed them.

The coaches again are very proud of the team. You never know how a group of young men will come together, bond, fight adversity and perform. This team is just that... a team of great young men who never gave up and kept scratching for every inch. Remember football is a game of inches.