The Sooke Seahawks PeeWee football team earned their first victory of the season with a hard-hitting 14-0 triumph over the Gordon Head Raiders on April 14. The win improves their record to 1-1.
The offence was sparked by Matt Holmes who bowled through would-be tacklers for two long touchdown runs in the first half. Andy Abel helped ensure the victory by converting some key third-downs late in the game, while Bailey McMillan moved the chains all day with big catches including one where he simply willed the ball away from two defenders.
McMillan also led the charge on defence with a blocked punt and a forced fumble deep in Seahawks’ territory in the fourth quarter to preserve the shutout. He was part of a defensive line that, along with Jordan Schutt, Randy Ross, Kyle Berger, Elijah Leversedge, Gabe Christie and Nathan Eldridge owned the trenches and dominated the Raiders’ offence.
The few times Gordon Head got away from Sooke’s front four, defensive halfbacks Ethan Agar, Spencer Leslie, Dreyden Lindquist and Nick Pollock kept them from getting far. And cornerback Tie Boake played outstanding, coming up strong in run support and making an interception in his own end zone late in the game.
Kicker Alec McKenzie helped the Seahawks control field position with his deep kick-offs and excellent punts, including a couple from inside his own 10-yard line. McKenzie also went one-for-two on converts.
Quarterback Jacob Laliberty played an especially courageous game one year plus a day after his mom, Christina, lost her battle with cancer. The entire Sooke Seahawks community misses her and knows she was watching and cheering as her son led the team to victory.
The Seahawks hope to get a winning streak started when they host Nanaimo April 28 at Westhills Field in Langford. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:15 pm.
Submitted by Nathan Lowther