The Wolves were howling early and often at BC Place both on the field and in the stands on Friday (Nov. 29) night,
Abbotsford's Robert Bateman Timberwolves captured a junior football provincial crown for the first time in school history with a 50-8 dismantling of Nanaimo's John Barsby Bulldogs.
It was the first time Bateman had ever advanced to a junior provincial title game after being eliminated in the semifinal round in 2023, 2022 and 2011.
For the first time ever @BatemanFootball has captured the @BCHSFB AA junior varsity football title.
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) November 30, 2024
They defeated the Barsby Bulldogs 50-8 at @bcplace. Congrats to @realdavidmills and staff pic.twitter.com/mB8eiDasxF
The win didn't come without some early adversity though, as starting quarterback Jackson Hall was forced to leave the game with an injury on the team's first drive. Caleb Mills, who ordinarily plays wide receiver, was thrust into the role of quarterback, but he fared well leading the Timberwolves down the field.
The drive was capped off by running back Callum Pambrun-Perry, who rushed the ball eight yards into the end zone. A successful two-point convert put Bateman up 8-0 early.
The Timberwolves defence was on display all evening and were tasked to prevent the run-focused offence that the Bulldogs used. A blocked punt midway through the second quarter gave the Timberwolves excellent field positioning and they took advantage.
Hall, who had returned to the game in the first quarter, then found Pambrun-Perry with short screen pass. He went about 40 yards for his second touchdown to put Bateman up 15-0.
The Bulldogs had a late drive inside the red zone to close the first half, but time ran out and they were unable to put any points up on the board.
.@BatemanFootball quarterback Jackson Hall finds Owen MacDonald in the end zone. Timberwolves lead the Barsby Bulldogs 36-0 with 4:53 left in 3Q.
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) November 30, 2024
This game is for the @BCHSFB AA junior varsity title pic.twitter.com/zo9R2pWM7j
Barsby's first drive in the second half resulted in a pick-six by Bateman's Owen MacDonald and from the TImberwolves began to separate themselves from Barsby.
A Bulldogs turnover on downs eventually ended in a receiving touchdown from Mills and Bateman then recovered a punt to regain the ball. Hall found MacDonald in the end zone and Bateman led 36-0 after three.
The final quarter saw Pambrun-Perry go about 50 yards for another rushing touchdown and Mills collect a pick-six. The Bulldogs got on the board late and added a successful two-point conversion.
Bateman head coach David Mills was thrilled with the win, but noted that the final score wasn't necessarily reflective of the game.
"It felt a lot closer than 50-8," he said. "The first half it was really close and they're such a big, physical team and we really had to strap on our hard hat if we wanted to win this one."
Mills said both the offensive and defensive lines were massive in the win. The defensive line had to stop Barsby's aggressive run and the offensive line had to make space for Pambrun-Perry and Hall. They succeeded on both sides of the ball.
"Everything starts up front," Mills said. "Without those big guys it doesn't matter who you have back there. They did a really good job out there."
One of those talented players up front was Nathan Klassen, who was named most valuable lineman of the game.
Pambrun-Perry earned most valuable player of the game honours and Mills said he is looking forward to seeing him play with the seniors full-time in 2025.
.@BCHSFB pic.twitter.com/UyIKquBYy2
— Bateman Football (@BatemanFootball) November 26, 2024
"I think he will be just fine as a senior," he said, noting the Grade 10 played some action with the senior varsity team this season. "I'm really excited to see him over the next two years."
Mills said the bode well for the upcoming years of the program.
"Last week [for the senior semifinal] we had four Grade 10s on the field playing defence," he said. "So I think we have some talented players."
Junior Varsity: John Barsby AA 8 at Robert Bateman AA 50 https://t.co/BrZ8OGo6AX
— BC HS Football (@BCHSFB) November 30, 2024
The Bateman junior varsity team lost just once in 2024 – an exhibition game to AAA school Vancouver College Fighting Irish. It was a 28-26 loss at Vancouver College on Sept. 4. The team won every other game by large margins. He said this team is up there with some of his top teams as far as dominance goes.
"Our 2022 senior team was pretty dominant, but I think this team has all the pieces to be right up there with them," he said. "We're pretty good at every spot – we can stop the run, stop the pass, run the ball, throw the ball and can play special teams."
Mills went on to thank his coaches and the community for their support during the season.
"I'm really proud of our team, coaches and parents for helping us have such a great year," he said.
