The Sooke Seahawks peewee football team kicked off what they hope to be a golden season with an impressive showing at the Pre-Season Jamboree held March 22 at City Centre Park.
The Jamboree gives each of the CRD teams (Peninsula, Westshore, Saanich, Gordon Head and Sooke) four 30 minute games round-robin style. The Seahawks managed wins over Peninsula and Gordon Head, and tied the perennial powers from Westshore and Saanich.
The offense impressed behind dominant offensive line play led by veterans Jordan Schutt, Randy Ross and Tyson Bastone. Quarterback Jacob Laliberty threw the ball well, connecting with X-factor Nick Pollock a few times including once for a long touchdown. The running game moved the ball effectively with running backs Andy Abell and Eddie George both breaking big runs and getting the ball into the endzone.
Defensively, the Seahawks swarmed to the ball and generated take-aways. Defensive end Bailey McMillan terrorized opposition quarterbacks and ripped the ball from a Gordon Head running back for a goalline stand. Matt Holmes flew around the field making tackles and recovered a fumble, while Ethan Agar played a solid tournament capping it off with an interception on the last play versus Saanich. George also added a pick-six against Westshore and made a couple of touchdown-saving tackles.
Three other Seahawks — Logan Winger, Anthony Masse and Richard Gardner — played outstandingly in their first ever football games, while returning players Tie Boake, Spencer Leslie, Elijah Leversedge, Nick Mason and Tyler Scheubel made key contributions during the Jamboree.
Coaching staff is excited for this season and expects this talented and deep peewee Seahawks team to contend for the Gold Cup Championship. The regular season begins in two weeks.
By Nathan Lowther