The WJ Mouat Hawks are the top-ranked team in the province for a reason. Mouat is fast and physical with an ideal size on both sides of the ball. The Hawks are the team to beat right now as they showed in their decisive 56-9 win over the Sardis Falcons.
Another factor that sets Mouat apart is quarterback Elijah Black. The senior quarterback processes the game pre-snap and post-snap at a level I've yet to see in BC High School football.
Playing soft zone coverages? Black will take his free access throws all day. Playing press coverage? The quarterback will put the ball on the money to one of his playmakers deep downfield. If you take all that away, Black will use his athleticism to extend the play; he's truly a defensive coordinator's worst nightmare.
Black finished with a jaw-dropping stat line, going 27-of-30 for 448 yards, 5 passing touchdowns, and 1 rushing score. Those five passing majors give him 16 on the season, in just four games. Leading the province in touchdown passes, if Black stays on this trajectory, he'll be on pace for 40 in the regular season.
The senior quarterback is the Hawks' star player, but he wasn't the only one making plays on Friday. Senior linebacker Charlie Franson took the opening kickoff 99 yards to the house. With Sardis with the ball moments later, a third down arose.
As the Falcons dropped back to pass, Franson screamed off the edge on an outside pressure and took down the Falcons' QB for a sack. The Falcons were forced to punt and with that, the Hawks' special teams and defence had set the tone to start the game.
From there, Black and Mouats' offence took the field and never looked back. The Senior connected with wideout Max Pratt on three straight passes for 50 yards, the last of which resulted in a major to make it 14-0.
Black continued his hot start, calling his own number on the Hawks’ third drive with a 15-yard rushing score, his fifth of the season. On the very next possession, he found receiver Treyson Harley in the back of the end zone from 15 yards out, capping a 28-0 first quarter.
The Hawks' air attack continued to soar all night, led by Harley, who hauled in 5 catches for 143 yards and 3 touchdowns, and Pratt, who had 8 catches for 152 yards and 2 scores. Santiago Llarena and Tim Magana also found success with receptions leading to big chunk plays.
On defence, the Hawks were just as sharp. Blessed Simango was all over the field, leading the way with 8 tackles. Nazeef Rahman added 7 stops of his own, while Franson had 5 tackles to go with his sack and kickoff return touchdown that started the game.
The Hawks will look to get back to work on Monday, as they prepare for their matchup against the talented South Delta Sun Devils on Friday.