ItB次元官网网址檚 been a long year for Spectrum Thunder football player Sahjun Sehmi.

The Grade 12 student showed up to Spectrum Community School a week into school on a transfer from Mount Douglas secondary, where he was the target of a football team hazing incident.

In search of a fresh start, he left Mount Doug, where heB次元官网网址檇 played football since Grade 9, and found a home at Spectrum. His only regret, coming so close to finishing his high school football career with a provincial championship.

Sehmi blamed himself for a couple of key defensive miscues that were part of the ThunderB次元官网网址檚 28-21 loss in the .

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 funny, I had an interception, I caught a pass for a 40-yard gain, and I recovered the onside kick, but I also didnB次元官网网址檛 play well either, I got burned a couple times,B次元官网网址� Sehmi said.

The Tier 2 Subway Bowl was SehmiB次元官网网址檚 third time playing at BC Place, all of them losses. With Mount Doug, Sehmi played in the Subway Bowl junior final but lost to New Westminster Hyacks. In Grade 11 he was with the AAA Rams when they lost in the quarterfinals to Terry Fox.

B次元官网网址淏C Place and I donB次元官网网址檛 get along too well,B次元官网网址� Sehmi said.

At six feet, 165 pounds, Sehmi uses speed and agility to make plays as a defensive back, which is his stronger area. Offensively he lined up at wide receiver this year.

Coming from Mount Doug, where things went sour in the spring, there were no guarantees he could transfer and play this season. In seeking a fresh start, Sehmi considered community football until he was permitted to play for Spectrum.

But it almost didnB次元官网网址檛 happen.

Through an appeal involving extenuating circumstances, Sehmi was able to earn the blessing of B.C. School Sports and his former team, Mount Douglas, to play for Spectrum this season. Without the approval of the appeal board, Sehmi would have had to wait a year to play, effectively ending his high school football career.

B次元官网网址淚 love Spectrum, itB次元官网网址檚 been great here,B次元官网网址� Sehmi said. B次元官网网址淥f course I had apprehensions at first. It was like, B次元官网网址極K, IB次元官网网址檓 new here, IB次元官网网址檓 trying to get my footing,B次元官网网址� and I mostly came for football but I did actually know a few people.B次元官网网址�

He found the football players were welcoming and accepting, happy to have him join the team in its fifth season. Based on his big-program experience, and the ThunderB次元官网网址檚 inexperience, Sehmi was named as one of the captains.

Academically, Sehmi is on track to graduate with a goal of studying at university. He doesnB次元官网网址檛 have anything lined up athletically at university but will give it another go at the Dec. 9 Alberta vs. B.C. Border Bowl match in Chilliwack. There are two ABC matches a year and the games feature a number of Canadian university scouts looking to fill those final spots. Twenty-three players from the 2016 and 2015 B.C. rosters are now playing U Sports football.

Sehmi was named the most outstanding defensive player at the ABC Border Bowl in May, held in Lethbridge, Alta. HeB次元官网网址檚 joined by SpectrumB次元官网网址檚 star receiver and defensive back Riley Wilson.

B次元官网网址淚 just played really well that game, made big plays, and after scouts talked to me and the team invited me back,B次元官网网址� Sehmi said.

Football isnB次元官网网址檛 the end of athletic season for Sehmi, who will lace up the high-tops for the coming high school basketball season.

reporter@saanichnews.com