The Vernon Panthers and Fulton Maroons both racked up prime-time offence in Interior Junior Football Conference victories Wednesday.
Quarterback Zack Smith hit six different receivers, going 14-of-16 for 295 yards and five touchdowns, as the Cats stuffed the host Salmon Arm Golds 40-0.
Hayden Catt ran a punt return 60 yards for a TD, while Ethan Schiman recorded a 50-yard TD run as Fulton ambushed the Westsyde Blue Wave 24-0 at Grahame Park. The game was called midway through the second quarter as Westsyde’s roster dwindled due to injuries.
Grade 9 Johnathan Bielski, who has now scored a major in consecutive games, started the Panther scoring barrage with a 16-yard reception on Vernon’s opening drive. For Bielski, it was a lesson in patience paying off. The second -year receiver went without a catch in his rookie season, but committed himself to learning the offence in the offseason.
“It’s great to see Johnny start to see some success come his way,” said Panther head coach Sean Smith. “We are fortunate to have so many talented receivers that are very comfortable with our offence and it’s hard to take catches away from those guys.”
The Panthers scored on every drive in the first half with Ethan Mitchell (four receptions for 121 yards) hauling in a 56-yard bomb to go along with a 39-yard circus catch. Smith called his own number from one yard out before tossing another TD pass to Caden Danbrook (30 yards).
Matthew Reich returned from injury to provide a much-needed spark on both offence (four carries for 42 yards) and defence (team-high seven tackles).
“It was so nice to see Matty out on the field for us again,” said Smith. “He’s the heartbeat of our team and hasn’t played since Labour Day; we were worried he was lost for the year. When we found out he got clearance to play this afternoon, the whole team was pumped.”
Rookie tight end Kevin Morgan got both second-half TD receptions from 17 and 10 yards .
“We had so many boys contribute on both offence and defence today. As a coach it was fun to see. Ethan Greenan had a 60-yard run and almost scored his first career TD. Morgan had his first high school TD, Leo Tamez (Mexican exchange student) had five tackles and was a freight train on defence and Will Satterthwaite has his first catch (15 yards).”
The Cats take on the Kelowna Owls Tuesday (4 p.m.) at Panther Field in what could be the early-season battle for first place.
“Kelowna is a great team and we have a short turnaround to get the boys prepped for a Tuesday game” said Smith.
Brady Szeman and Danbrook each chipped in with five tackles, while Bielski had one pick.
In Fulton’s shutout win, Markus Liefke posted a 21-yard TD run, while Schiman produced a two-point conversion and Reyaan Siddique earned a two-point convert and a safety.
“The coaches were happy with the way our guys played in the quarter and a half,” said Maroon head coach Mike Scheller. “We executed well on offence, we blocked well, were unselfish and ran hard when we had opportunities. Ethan Schiman is a leader for us, and a great player for our offence. He can play anywhere on the field and he has a keen football mind. He captains our squad.”
Scheller also gave props to Liam Gombrich for stellar showings as defensive and offensive linebacker, quarterback Karan Malhotra for stepping in on short notice and Seth Pallister for pocketing three tackles in limited action. Defensive end Isaac Coombs and linebacker Quin Williamson also put in bold showings.
Fulton entertains Mt. Boucherie Bears next Wednesday, 4 p.m.
In senior varsity play, the Maroons go up against the South Kamloops Titans next Friday (5 p.m.) at Hillside Stadium.
The Panthers entertain Westsyde next Friday (4 p.m.) with the venue to be announced (either at VSS Panther Field or Greater Vernon Athletics Park).
VSS and Fulton meet Friday, Oct. 27.