Whether it’s an apples or oranges comparison, the end result tasted sweet.
The New Westminster Hyacks collected their first win of the 2016 high school football season, downing the visiting Notre Dame Pride of Calgary 28-19 last week at Mercer Stadium.
Like the week prior, where a 40-24 loss to Oregon’s Scappoose, it provided experience and exposure to another gridiron program, and not necessarily a bellwether for the B.C. AAA senior scene.
For Grade 10 running back Broxx Comia, it presented an opportunity that he took to heart.
The 5-foot-11 back took up the slack in Grade 11 starter Sammy Sidhu’s absence, and scampered for 225 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries.
At the same time, Hyacks head coach Farhan Lalji said the best part was the rust and rough edges evident in Oregon were less evident. Still, facing a highly-skilled opponent provided plenty of merit.
“It was an awkward game in some levels, because our program was a week ahead of (Calgary’s), with one game under our belt,” said Lalji. “That first game in Oregon we had six turnovers and kept it down to two (against Notre Dame), we were much improved on missed tackles and penalties, too.”
Against first stringers, Comia was up to the challenge.
“It was a pretty exceptional effort on (Comia’s) part,” said the coach, with the junior ball carrier accounting for more than half of the team’s 400 offensive yards. “(Notre Dame) is a powerhouse program and were ranked seventh in the country coming into the game.
“We were able to hold up well.”
New West erased a 19-8 deficit in the third quarter, cued by a timely 83-yard kickoff return by Grade 12 Ben Tjernagel for six points. The hosts kept up the momentum with two more majors, one by rusher Trew Dancey, to secure the win.
“(Tjernagel’s return) instantly got us back into the game, and it was a similar run he did a week ago (in Oregon),” noted Lalji.
He pointed to Grade 11 quarterback Lucas Sabau, who did a solid job directing the offence, while 6-foot-4 Shane Belsher was a formidable force at defensive back, tallying a game-high eight tackles.
“(Belsher) has become a much more confident player and using his size to his advantage.”
Connor Pattison collected seven tackles, including one for a loss.
Earning game award honours were Prento Durigon, named lineman of the game, and Comia.
Now the prime focus is measuring up against B.C. competition, with the G.W. Graham Grizzlies providing the opposition on Friday in the Valley. The Chilliwack program is currently ranked third in AA.
“They’ve returned everybody, except maybe for one player, and they are big and physical,” said Lalji of the Grizzlies. “They’ve got a group who have been together since peewee football and are one of the favourites to win AA. It should be a good test.”
New West will play host to Carson Graham on Sept. 23 in the annual Homecoming Game, 7:30 p.m. at Mercer Stadium.
