After giving up the first touchdown of the game and behind 6-0, the Victoria Spartans Junior Bantam team led by nine Sooke players rallied to win 48-18 against Nanaimo in an all-Island final at Westhills Stadium in Langford Friday.
In only their second year in this four-down American High School rules league, the Spartans had a perfect 7-0 record-outscoring their opponents 226-60, with most of the starters pulled at halftime.
Highlights of the day include MVP of the game Spencer Logan with one touchdown, 115 all-purpose yards, numerous blocks on defence, tackles and sacks.
Jared Steele scored two touchdowns and led blocking on all for other touchdowns.
Owen Cheng had two touchdowns and four touchdown-saving tackles at full safety.
Caleb Carrier centered his offence, had a kick-off recovery, long-snapped his team and had numerous tackles at interior lineman.
Avan Wickheim captained the defence to another stellar performance.
Riley Brefelo picked up a fumbled kick-return and led by Logan expertly ran it back. It was called back due to a penalty, however. Brefelo had many tackles and superb coverage at corner.
Sam Lowden had two receptions at tight-end both screens thrown by quarterback Will Gorchinov, with Lowden running one in for his first touchdown of the season.
Simon Hadley blocked and consistently ran his routes as a receiver.
Missing on the day was Anthony Tucker with an injury. Peewee call-up player James Mullen played right guard and finished all his blocks.
“All in all it was a great season,” said coach Andy Carrier, with Sooke [players] figuring in prominently and leading by example with sacrifice and hard-work.”