Skip to content

Friday Night Lights

It’s high school Friday Night Lights at the Greater Vernon Athletics Park as VSS meets Fulton
9102667_web1_171027-VMS-football-web

It’s high school Friday Night Lights at the Greater Vernon Athletics Park as the Vernon Panthers battle the Fulton Maroons.

Both teams are 2-0 and share first place in the Okanagan AA Senior Varsity Football League. Kick off is 7 p.m.

“The Fulton staff and team moms are planning a Friday night family event, and hope the community will join them to support their youth,” said Marcy Kennedy of Fulton. “The stands will also be filled with youth from the Vernon minor football Magnums teams, and their families. There will be halftime shows, music, admission by donation, on-site food and beverages from The Grub Truck. Please wear your favorite team colours and bring your noise makers.”

Meanwhile, the Panthers locked up a second consecutive undefeated league season with a 31-6 win over the Salmon Arm Golds Wednesday at Greater Vernon Athletics Park.

The Panthers went 6-0 (8-0 overall) and head into the playoffs as the No. 1 seed from the Interior Conference.

Matthew Reich registered another great two-way game with eight tackles and two rushing touchdowns 83 yards and hauled in three receptions for 40 yards.

“Matthew was the sparkplug for us in an otherwise slow game,” said VSS head coach Sean Smith. “He ran hard, broke some tackles and made things happen.

Kevin Morgan hauled in a career-high six grabs for 90 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown. The Cats scored on their opening possession when pivot Zack Smith (7-of-12 for 144 yards – two TDS) hit Caden Danbrook on a 54-yard strike.

Reich then scored a pair to put the Cats up 21-0 at the half. Back-up quarterback Leo Tamez came in to relieve Smith in the final quarter and finished 3-of-4 for 58 yards. He also contributed six tackles from his linebacker position.

The Panthers now await the winner of the Northern Conference who will be their quarterfinal opponent Wednesday, Nov. 15 at the college turf.

“It wasn’t the type of game I wanted us to finish with, but it was a good chance to get our second teamers in for some meaningful snaps which hopefully helps us in the playoffs. We now have three weeks between games which is a long time. It will allow us to clean up some areas of need, but I’m hoping we can keep our level of intensity up without game action for a long time.”