The New Westminster Hyacks are still not ready for prime time.
In a battle for first place in the B.C. high school junior varsity football south division last week, New Westminster’s 33-14 loss at home to the Fighting Irish roved just how far the Hyacks have to go before calling themselves contenders.
The JV Hyacks coughed up the ball on two separate occasions in the first half and gave up touchdowns on a long opening drive and on a 37-yard pass-and-run to Brendan Chandra late in the second quarter to lead 17-7 at half time.
The one bright spot was David Penalver’s record 95-yard kickoff return that shaved the deficit to 10-7 midway through in the second quarter.
But the Vancouver independent scored twice more in the second half and blocked a punt in the end zone for a two-point rouge to lead 33-7 before Adrian Cagampan raced into the end zone from 55 yards out in the final play of the game for New Westminster’s second score.
“We’re still looking for that breakthrough game. We’re not there yet,” said JV Hyack head coach Chad Oatway. “With our kids, it’s nothing physical, it’s all mental. They have to learn how to play in a big game. We stilll have a long way to go.”
New Westminster takes on Holy Cross in the final game of the regular season at Mercer Stadium on Thursday. Game time is 5:30 p.m.
