The Vernon Panthers made it two for two to start the season with a 22-6 win over the visiting Holy Cross Crusaders (Surrey) in junior varsity high school football action Wednesday.
The Panthers, who played on their home field for the first time since 2015, drove 70 yards on the opening drive. Caden Danbrook capped the drive with a 25-yard TD run.
Holy Cross responded quickly on their ensuing possession when QB Anthony Ghent connected on a 40-yard bomb. Electing to go for two points, Ghent hit Jack Laurin to give the Crusaders a one-point lead.
“We only had five offensive possessions in the whole game and got inside the 10-yard line every time, which was encouraging,” said Panther head coach Sean Smith. “Holy Cross did a great job preventing the big play and they tackled well, which forced us to chip away and take what they gave us.”
The Cats re-took the lead on their third possession when quarterback Zack Smith hit Ethan Mitchell on a pivot route. The Panthers added another fourth-quarter TD rush by Danbrook that was set up by a Mitchell interception.
“We made one mistake on defense that cost us, but we were solid the rest of the way,” said coach Smith. “However, I’d still like to be a bit more stout up the middle. Zack (11-13 for 112 yds passing to go along with 98 yds rushing on 11 attempts) had a great two-way game on offence and was able to keep the ball in our possession by using his feet when needed to get first downs. Isaiah Ondrik continues to shine as the leader of the offensive line and made some key blocks for us on our last touchdown drive.”
Brady Szeman, Ben Warren and Ondrik each had five tackles. Mitchell recorded two. Danbrook carried the ball 14 times for 84 yards and had five receptions for 59 yards.
The Panthers start league play next Tuesday when they host the Rutland Voodoos @ 4 p.m. (Vernon Secondary).