The Greater Vernon Athletic Park (GVAP) was bumping on Friday night as a high school football rivalry game enthralled fans.
The defending AA varsity provincial champion Vernon (VSS) Panthers battled the Fulton Maroons, and it was the champs romping to a 49-7 victory over their cross-town opponents.
Straight from the opening kickoff, the Panthers showcased their dominance, scoring five touchdowns in the first half.
Running back Jonah Lee got the party started first, with a 6-yard touchdown scamper that capped off an eight play, 70-yard drive.
Keltyn McAreavy and Anderson Bicknell twice also scored touchdowns, while QB Cole Budgen also ran in one of his own.
The Budgen-Bicknell connection were from 75 and 73 yards out, as Budgen finished the night with an efficient 14-18, 333 yards and four passing touchdowns.
In the second, Ayden McDonald would add to VSS's lead with a 20-yard touchdown reception. before the Maroons finally got on the board, with QB Lucas Horne firing a touchdown pass to receiver Jeremy Peterson.
Panthers would score once more, as tight end Jeff Curtis got in on the fun, this time from McDonald at the QB position.
“Tonight was about making a statement about what kind of team we want to be,” said Panthers head coach Sean Smith. “We’ve had some good halves in our first four weeks, but this was our best outing. We had good pace, mixed up our run and pass, and kept the Fulton defence guessing from the first play.”
Maroons head coach Mike Scheller was blown away by the speed and ability of the Panthers.
"Full credit to VSS, they dominated this game start to finish," said Scheller. "They beat us at every level, coaching, offence, defence, special teams. That is one of the fastest high school teams I have ever seen."
Scheller added that "we can't simulate their speed in practice," as they are well prepared. He was particularly impressed by Budgen, who "throws an excellent ball."
VSS is now 2-0 in the regular season after the victory, which is tops in the AAA/AA Interior division. Next up is a challenging test on the road against the sixth ranked Westsyde Blue Wave from Kamloops.
'Westsyde will be a good test for us," Smith added. "They have some great athletes who can make disruptive, game changing plays. If we don't bring our A game they will knock us from our perch."
The Maroons fall to 0-2 on the season and will have to head to Kelowna to play the Huskies, on Friday, Oct. 4.
