The Pitt Meadows Marauders were done in by the big play as they dropped a 20-6 decision under their home lights in senior AA high school exhibition football action.
The Marauders found themselves down 14-0 after the first half as Vernon Panthers’ Levi Nicholas ran for 150 yards on seven carries, including an 80-yard jaunt to put the visitors up by two scores at the half.
The Marauders were also burned for a 35-yard passing play to Zack Hyer, snaring a jump ball and then evading two defenders before scampering into the end zone.
Marauders head coach Matt Todd said he felt his team played solid on defence for the entire game, except for the two big plays. He’s hoping his team can correct the problem as they head into the heart of their schedule.
“We made mistakes and they took advantage of them,” said Todd. “The players need to learn from this and get ready this week for our first regular season game against Rick Hansen.”
Haden Harty led the sluggish Marauders offence with 80 yards on 15 carries. Quinn Leatherdale was the top receiver, catching four passes for 70 yards. On defence, Tayden Mountford had a interception and chipped with two tackles, while Garde 10 standout Brandon Hunt and Grade 12 Bailey Mountford lead the team with five tackles each.
• The Marauders travel to Abbotsford to play the Rick Hansen Hurricanes on Friday, Oct. 9 at 3:45 p.m.
Junior varsity
Reese Hansford played the hero, running back a 65-yard punt return late in the fourth quarter to give the Marauders a 29-22 win over the Robert Bateman Wolves on Sept. 30 and improved their record to 1-1 on the season.
The Marauders led the game for the better part of four quarters before a late comeback by the Wolves set the stage for Hansford, who also rushed for 53 yards.
“We played a full game for the first time this season,” said head coach Matt Todd. “We had a short bench, so it was a great effort by all the players. We really stepped up.”
Brandon Hunt was a force on both sides of the ball, running for 125 yards and two TDs while registering eight tackles on defence. Likewise for Tayden Mountford, who had four catches for 30 yards and a TD while contributing eight tackles on the other side of the ball.
• The Marauders travel to Mission to play the Roadrunners on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 3:45 p.m.
In other action, the SRT Titans dropped a 56-22 decision to the G.W. Graham Grizzlies on Sept. 30 and are 0-2 on the season
• SRT hosts the W.J. Mouat Hawks on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 3:45 p.m.