Tough loss in the rain for the JV Highlanders

This week’s game was a hard-fought in ugly conditions. Sometimes with grit and effort we still come up a bit short. The JV highlanders lost 20-0 the the Earl Marriot Mariners in a soggy slugfest.

The JV Highlanders and the JV Earl Marriot Mariners were very evenly matched. Th JV Highlanders and the coaches game planned to shut down the Earl Marriot offence. The JV Highlanders held true to the plan and posted a first half shutout, with a big interception to end the half by Denzel Octaviano. Earl Marriot showed up well prepared for the JV Highlanders run heavy offense and the Mariner defensive line and linebackers were up to the task of stymying the JV Highlanders offense.

With a score tied at 0-0 at half time, the JV Highlanders knew they were in a defensive battle. A mistake either way could be the difference in this game and it was. The JV highlanders decided to game on a short kick-off to begin the second half to use the sloppy field conditions to their advantage and get the ball back, unfortunately the plan backfired. The Earl Marriot Mariners took the kick for a touchdown and the momentum began to shift to the Mariners.

From that point, the JV Highlanders were playing catch up football and began throwing the ball a little more than the game planned. In this type of weather, a slippery ball and playing from behind is a tough ask for any team never mind a young junior team playing this early in the season. The JV Highlanders never gave up and showed some true heart out there.

The JV highlanders was able to hold the Mariners on a 4th down attempt late in the game and come up big in their own red zone with a forced fumble by Evan Lock, recovered by MC Hamelin. The defensive line who also play on the offensive line played a great of a game, putting the pressure on and making tackles in the backfield. Evan Lock, Beaudry Lehman, Sean Hansed and MC Hamelin are to be applauded for the effort levels they displayed today on both offensive and defensive line. In addition, linebacker Phillip Ho and defensive back Denzel Octaviano stood out on defense.

The coaches were in praise of the team even in the loss. Junior football is about learning positions, roles, offence, defence and how to work as a team. Today’s game was a great representation of how this all comes together. Yes, the loss stings, but we must watch the film and learn from our mistakes. We had great opportunities and fought hard on offence and defence. When a team plays this hard as a unit and leaves everything on the field you cannot ask for more.

On a sad note. Head Coach Cam Currie is leaving the team for a new job. The program is very happy for him and wishes cam the best. Coaching the junior team is never easy, but Coach Currie was always eager to cheer on our athletes and push then to achieve as much potential as they were willing to work for. Coach Declan McGovern and the other coaches will pick up and carry on for the program. 

Pride ~ Respect ~ United