Morning Star Staff
With a rookie-laden roster, the Fulton Maroons were hardly favoured to make the Interior Senior AA Varsity Football League playoffs this season.
Head coach Mike Scheller and staff brought out the best in the young Maroons and they secured the No. 2 Interior post-season seed with a thrilling 31-28 overtime win over the South Kam Titans Friday night at the Greater Vernon Athletics Park.
The teams were tied 14-14 after one quarter with ulton leading 20-14 at the half. It was 21-20 South Kam after three quarters.
Fulton won the toss in overtime and went on defence. On the third play of OT, Nate banga made a huge interception to stop South Kam, whose quarterback Ben MacDonald was under big pressure from the Fulton defensive line.
Fulton ran three plays and Jeff Han kicked a 37-yard field goal for the win.
“It was definitely the most exciting game Fulton has seen in a long time,” said Scheller. “Each team had huge scoring plays to make it a very exciting game to watch. The game was back and forth, and it ended in OT.”
Fulton scored a touchdown with less than three minutes left in the fourth quarter and had to convert a two-point conversion.
South Kam roared back to score with less than 40 seconds remaining to level the score.
Caden Doyle registered a pair of TDs for the Maroons, one on a 65-yard run and the second on a 15-yard reception from QB Ike Olson.
Ryan Rumsey scampered 90 yards for a touchdown, while Olson recorded a three-yard rushing score.
Rumsey racked up 146 yards on the ground with Doyle piling up 95. Doyle also registered 69 passing yards.
Andrew Goldenthal sparked the Maroons with nine tackles, while Olson produced seven and Rumsey had six. Cole Hunter posted one sack.
“I can’t say enough about how hard our kids fought,” said Scheller. “They played their guts out, as did the SKSS kids. Both teams gave it their all. For our team to be winless last year, it shows a lot of character to qualify for provincials this year. We are proud to have made the playoffs, especially with only five graduating players.
“Ben MacDonald had a great game for SKSS. He took control of their final drive to tie it. Doyle was spectacular again for us. He is incredibly clutch. Whenever we need a big play, we look to him. Rumsey was a warrior all game. He played hurt, and showed a ton of character. Cole Hunter had his best game as a Maroon. He blocked and played well at defensive end.”
The Maroons get a bye next week. Fulton is 3-1 in league and 5-3 overall.
Other Friday AA Varsity scores:
Seaquam 55 Nanaimo 10
Ballenas 68 Hugh Boyd 42
GW Graham 46 Salmon Arm 0
Robert Bateman 28 Langley 18
AAA Varsity Friday scores:
New West 34 Belmont 21
Notre Dame 24 Carson Graham 14
Centennial 39 Kelowna 7
Handsworth 49 West Van 0
Abbotsford 37 Rutland 7
STMC 44 Mt. Boucherie 0