The Eric Hamber Griffins upended the Spectrum Thunder 28-21 in SaturdayB次元官网网址檚 Subway Bowl Tier 2 provincial high school football championship.
Despite the disappointment in the dressing room itB次元官网网址檚 a big step for the young Spectrum program, which has now played five seasons.
B次元官网网址淚t was a good run, itB次元官网网址檚 great for the team and also for Spectrum athletics,B次元官网网址� said head coach Darren Vaux.
It was all part of a big week for the team, which defeated the to clinch SpectrumB次元官网网址檚 first trip to the Tier 2 final.
Oh so close. Eric Hamber 28; Spectrum Thunder 21. Very proud of the team. They played hard, and represented the school so incredibly well.
B次元官网网址� Spectrum School (@SpectrumThunder)
On Thursday Spectrum held a pep rally to pump up the football team, including a performance by the Spectrum band.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 great for the school, the culture inside the school is changing as the football team becomes better recognized,B次元官网网址� Vaux said.
The Thunder ferried over on Friday and stayed in a hotel near the stadium. The night before, knowing theyB次元官网网址檇 have to be at BC Place early for the 9:30 a.m. kickoff, the squad took a rainy walk around the stadium.
B次元官网网址淚t was a neat moment, we went over all the things to expect, what was coming,B次元官网网址� Vaux said.
The Thunder held a 14-7 at the half but the game got away from them in the third quarter, when the Griffins scored two touchdowns and controlled the play offensively.
B次元官网网址淥ur defence tired out,B次元官网网址� Vaux said.
The game started right as the ThunderB次元官网网址檚 Harrison Kuromi intercepted the ball on defence and scored to tie the game 7-7. Running back Brandon Robbins rushed for a touchdown and receiver Riley Wilson ran in a reception for the other score.
Down 28-21, the Thunder successfully recovered an onside kick in the final minutes but could not execute another scoring play.
B次元官网网址淥verall there was a letdown, we didnB次元官网网址檛 take this team for granted but I donB次元官网网址檛 think we played our best game, our best players werenB次元官网网址檛 our best,B次元官网网址� Vaux said. B次元官网网址淲e couldnB次元官网网址檛 get our running game going and our other strength, our defence, had trouble all day.B次元官网网址�
Star player Riley Wilson returned from a five-week injury break due to a separated shoulder. He scored a TD but was unable to play defence.
While Wilson graduates in the summer, the Thunder are in good shape with quarterbacks Cam Ross and Chris Starck set to return for 2018.
reporter@saanichnews.com
