So another season of American professional football is over, with Super Bowl 59 providing the big wrap-up. Not as exciting a game as the past couple, as the Philadelphia Eagles led by MVP quarterback Jalen Hurts cruised to a 40-22 victory over Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. So no three-peat for the Chiefs and redemption for the Eagles after losing in the big game to Kansas City two years ago.
Meanwhile, there has been plenty happening at various levels of minor football locally. This past fall featured another successful season of inter-mural football in Nanaimo and district elementary schools. Coordinator Mike Lundine reports that 18 boys’ and co-ed teams took part in the league, with games notable not just for entertaining action, but also for good sportsmanship and players being fair and kind. Great news and my thanks to Mike for sending along results.
Finals were hosted at Rock City Elementary, where in the championship game the entry representing Ladysmith Intermediate prevailed against a team from Hammond Bay. On the winning squad were players Griffin Stevens, Dylan Farrance, Xavier Crandon, Kesler Kopke, Callan Broomfield, Jeremy Oster, Blake Hoffman, Jaxson Zerr, Robert Stephen, Merrick Robinson, Chayce Beaudry, Kade Fiddick and Oscar Bryce. Coaching the team was Daniel Brown.
For the runners-up from Hammond Bay, coaching was provided by Warren Zannet, Craig McBride, Cheryl Headey and Dane Christensen and team sponsor was Erin St. Pierre. On the roster were players Isaac St. Pierre, Sam Woodman, Avery Zannet, Maceo Christensen, Nathan McBride, Roman Kinsella, Wesley Jenkin, Whistler Payne, Ashlyn Squire, Alex Hountin, Lina Sierra Annaka, Nathalie Laron, Oren MacGregor and Peyton Svendson.
The consolation final resulted in a win for Mountain View. On the field for their school were Alyse Minifie, Avery Diggles, Ayden Graham, Dane Jorgensen, Emmett Lewis, Gavin Sheng, Grant Tomasson, Kamma Romanik, Max Purchase, Preston Dahle, Preston McMann and Sam Wells. Coach for the team was Jason Lescak.
Claiming the fourth-place pennant was the football team from Randerson Ridge. Jane Hepples was the coach and the team members were Eric Pries, Jayden Myers, Phelan Shepherd, Lucas Bourget, Ryder Doyle, Mason Walsh, Corbin Lawson, Brian Okwudibe, Luke Wang, Gurbaaz Buttar, Jaimeet Minhas and Luca Finetti.
While on the subject of school football, credit goes once again to the high school programs run at Nanaimo District Secondary School and John Barsby Secondary. For many years now, football in the schools and community has been fostered by the dedication of coaching brothers Nate and Rob Stevenson.
This past season saw the Barsby Bulldogs AA varsity team bow out in the playoff quarterfinals held in Abbotsford.
John Barsby’s junior varsity team had a super season, advancing all the way to the provincial final Subway Bowl at B.C. Place stadium in Vancouver. The Bulldogs gave a great effort before finishing as provincial runners-up to the powerful Robert Bateman Timberwolves. Full credit to Barsby players Cody Bergstrom, Owen Bishop, Pratyush Bisht, Wesley Britt, Sam Capper-Jones, Jaxson Charlton, Roland Constance, Nathaniel Decaigny, Tavares Gilbert, Carter Gladesdahl, Jack Hawley, Seth Heinrichs, Logan Jarvis, Rylind Kelly, Addison Lloyd-Walters, Bradyn Lupal, Kofi Lyle, Roman Mainwaring, Noble Nnadi, Attilla Phillip, Robert Ristau, Elias Root, Grady Saunders, Tyler Service, Ryker Tremblay, James Vickers, Hudson Wells, Gabe Wells, Nathen Wilson, Madden Wood and Jacksen Yarocki. Head coach for the team was Sam Davies.
Whatever your sport, a reminder in closing to play your hardest, play fair, and show good sportsmanship.
