GW Graham’s junior football Grizzlies beat the Argyle Pipers 21-7 on Saturday, punching their ticket to a provincial final.
GWG will face Parksville’s Ballenas Whalers this Saturday, with a 10:30 a.m. kickoff at BC Place Stadium.
The Grizzlies faced North Vancouver’s Pipers on neutral turf at Abbotsford’s W.J. Mouat secondary school, overcoming a flag-fest to get the win.
GWG was penalized 14 times on offence alone.
When they weren’t being marched backwards, the offence was lethally efficient. Linemen Jake Troyan and Elijah Schellenberg paved the way for rushing majors by Billy Hanson, Jordon Breuker and Emerson Smith.
Tyler Sprott hauled in some momentim-changing catches, and kicker Spencer Breslin was perfect on three convert attempts.
“The offense executed well today, and moved the ball successfully when we weren’t dealing with penalties,” said interim head coach Adam Smith. “We need to be more disciplined, but the kids fought through the adversity really well.”
Breslin was a big contributor on defence, reeling in two interceptions.
Safety Ben Pretty also had a pick.
Braydon Winger had a disruptive day at tackle, recording three solo tackles and a quarterback sack. Linebackers Cainen Bergh and Randy Nixon led a defence that has yielded just one touchdown over its last two games.
GWG sent its Grade 8 squad to the provincial final last year, where it suffered a heartbreaking loss versus Notre Dame.
If successful, the GWG juniors would provide the school with its first ever provincial banner.
— The Grade 8 provincial final leads off the Subway Bowl Championship day, with Lord Tweedsmuir and St. Thomas More kicking off at 8 a.m.
St. Thomas More and Terry Fox are in the AAA junior varsity final at 1:30 p.m.
The AAA senior final has Terry Fox facing Mt. Douglas while Carson Graham and John Barsby (Nanaimo) clash in the AA final.