The GW Graham senior varsity Grizzlies embarrassed another overwhelmed opponent, bombing the Pitt Meadows Marauders 40-7.
The teams met Friday night under the lights at Exhibition Stadium, and the Marauders looked frisky in the opening minutes, recovering a Grizzly fumble and marching 42 yards to the game’s first touchdown.
But GWG only gave them a minute to celebrate before getting a 36 yard TD run from Von Richardson.
“I thought Von Richardson had a statement game and has really elevated his play on both sides of the ball,” said Grizzlies head coach Laurie Smith. “He is a very solid running back and we love his downhill running style, although Pitt’s safety did not.”
No. 15 in blue finished his day with 96 yards on just six carries.
On their next series, the Grizzlies moved 65 yards in seven plays, finishing with a Gabe Olivares touchdown toss to Tyler Sprott.
As the second quarter start, GWG forced the Marauders into a turnover on downs, taking the ball at their own 35. Olivares dropped back to pass and took a huge hit as he rainbowed the ball down the left sideline to Baker Douglas. Douglas won a footrace to the endzone, diving across the line to put his crew up 19-7.
After Tristan Davis recovered the ensuing kickoff deep in Pitt Meadows territory, Olivares threw another TD pass, a six yarder to Sprott.
The Grizzlies got one more major before halftime.
After the Marauders fumbled the ball away at their own 15, GWG punched it in on a Jordon Breuker goal-line plunge.
His Grizzlies held a 33-7 lead at half-time and added their final score on the first drive of the second half.
Emerson Smith hauled in an Olivares pass, shrugged off a would-be tackler and raced away for an 85 yard major and a 40-7 final score.
“The team executed well and was more disciplined in terms of penalties,” Smith noted. “But all we could talk about after the game was Abbotsford. This one has been circled in the calendar since January. We are very excited about competing with Chase Claypool and the best team in the province.”
High school football games don’t get bigger than Friday night’s 7 p.m. match between the Grizzlies (3-0) and Abbotsford Panthers (3-0).
The game will be played at Abbotsford Collegiate. See bchighschoolfootball.com for schedules and standings.