The highly anticipated quarter-finals of the road to BC Place kick off on Friday following an exhilarating wild-card weekend. The event will be packed with thrilling matchups, and the first one is between AA powerhouses Holy Cross Crusaders and John Barsby Bulldogs, both with a 6-1 record.
The Crusaders are coming into the game with a narrow 13-6 victory over Argyle, thanks to their defence that stood strong. Despite committing five turnovers, they managed to take the lead in the fourth quarter and continue their playoff push. The team’s standout Ben Laurin, who won the AA East Defensive MVP, will look to continue his stellar play on Friday.
On the other hand, the Bulldogs will be well-rested and prepared following a bye-week. They closed out the season with a 35-0 victory over Argyle, marking the fourth time they shut out an opponent this season. With their all-star defensive and offensive cast, the Bulldogs will be a significant challenge for the Crusaders.
The undefeated Robert Bateman squad will face Windsor, who picked up two wins in a row, including a dominant 34-2 victory over Langley. Their offensive duo Emmet Ward and Xavian Washington has been fantastic all season, while Samson Sachter has been a standout defensively.
Windsor will have to bring the same energy this Friday, with Robert Bateman MVPs Isaac Lynn and Dawson Hendricks playing in front of a home crowd. South Kamloops and Vernon will play next to close out Friday, and the lone AA Saturday game will be played out by Westsyde and Nechako Valley.
In AAA, South Delta continued their push following a second consecutive win against Seaquam. Carson Graham awaits the winner and sees a red-hot South Delta team head into their home field. Ryan Roberts was excellent in the last game, scoring the game-winning touchdown along with 153 rushing yards on the night.
Carson Graham, who had excellent performances this season, looks to capitalize on their extra preparation and rest granted by a well-earned bye-week. MVP quarterback Liam Marshall will lead the program further into the playoffs.
Lord Tweedsmuir picked up a 14-0 victory over Notre Dame, with their defence making the difference with three sacks and a crucial interception on the goal line. The momentum is fully on the Panther’s side as G.W. Graham awaits their visit.
Vancouver College will face off against St. Thomas More on Friday, and on Saturday, a rivalry matchup between Kelowna and Rutland will close out the quarter-finals.
The quarter-finals promise to be an exciting weekend of football, with some of the best high school teams in the province vying for a spot in the semifinals. Who will come out on top and continue their journey to BC Place? Stay tuned to find out!
