Matt Seymour was all New Westminster needed to solve a first-round playoff curse.
The senior All-East conference wide receiver scored three straight touchdowns between the second and third quarters to help the New Westminster Hyacks to a 40-7 win over Mt. Boucherie Bears in a B.C. high school AAA wild card football playoff at Mercer Stadium on Friday.
The victory was the first playoff win in five seasons for the varsity Hyacks and sets up a second-round matchup with No. 1-ranked Terry Fox Ravens this week.
"We wanted to make a statement. We wanted it to be meaningful, that's for sure," said Seymour after earning player of the game honours. "It was the last game at Mercer for the seniors and a good way to go out."
With the Hyacks leading 12-7 late in the second quarter, Seymour took a short pass over the middle from Jamie Shiho, froze a defender with a step inside and then raced half the length of the field for his first of three scores.
Seymour also scored a TD off New Westminster's opening possession of the second half following a 22-yard run by Brian Cagamapan to the Bears' 12-yard line.
Mackenzie Ratcliffe lofted a high pass to the corner of the end zone and Seymour did well to go up for the ball and keep his feet inbounds.
The third TD was a perfectly executed jet sweep that showcased Seymour's athleticism and nearly set a program record as the longest run from scrimmage.
Seymour easily outlegged the opposition, racing 97 yards on an end-round play up the left side of the field to put the Hyacks on top 32-7. Wayne Palmer kicked the extra point.
Vivie Bojilov holds the Hyacks' longest run from scrimmage on a 99-yard romp set in 2009.
Seymour currently holds the program's longest pass reception record - a 95-yard touchdown effort against Notre Dame this season.
Jordan Guzman, with a 19-yard run in the fourth quarter closed out the scoring for New West.
"It was an important win as a program. We had to get past that," said Hyacks head coach Farhan Lalji.
Mt. Boucherie took the opening kickoff into the end zone after a six-minute drive downfield.
New West replied with a march of its own, capped off by a seven-yard rush up the middle by Marcel Wang. Palmer's PAT was blocked to keep the Bears on top 7-6.
Shiho gave the Hyacks the lead in the second quarter, finding Dylan Musgrove in the end zone on a 31-yard pass reception.
After that, New West's defence stepped up and shut down the visitors the rest of way, including four interceptions.
Jonathan Tomalty got the first to stall a last-minute drive to end the first half.
David Haeber had a big return on his third-quarter pick and Nick Hauka sealed the deal with back-to-back intercepts late in the game to keep the Bears off the scoresheet.
Conference all-stars Jeff Lugtu and Jorge Yarwood led the Hyacks in tackles with nine apiece.
New West takes on Terry Fox in the second round later this week.
"I want (the players) to approach this week with the belief that they can win," said Lalji. "We have the top offensive lineman, the top defensive lineman and the top receiver. We have good players here. We should believe we can play with anybody."
