Panthers the best of AA

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The Vernon Panthers remain inevitable in BC High School Football. As teams look to make their way to the AA championship game, Vernon is always standing in the way and more often than not squashes their opponents' dreams of winning it all, while having their own title aspirations come true.

At BC Place, surrounded by their fans who made the long trip down to the lower mainland, the Panthers' dreams became reality as they defeated the Argyle Pipers 41-0 to win the AA title.

Last year, the Panthers let the big game get away from them when they were defeated by the Windsor Wolves 17-14 in a major upset. This year, the higher-seeded Panthers allowed no Cinderella story to occur. With the game tied at zero early in the second quarter, Vernon turned to their star and never looked back.

Ayden Mcdonald was absolutely phenomenal in this one. From the time he opened the scoring on a 30-yard rush off a QB power to the time the clock struck zero and the Panthers showered head coach Sean Smith with Gatorade, there was no better player on the field.

Mcdonald would account for three total touchdowns running behind the stellar play of the Panthers' offensive line and would add two interceptions on defence.

After Mcdonald's opening major, the floodgates opened for Vernon. On the next play from scrimmage, Jonah Lee intercepted a pass and took it to the house for six and the rout was on.

Owen West and Bennett Friesen would add rushing scores of their own as the Panthers pounded the ball at will all afternoon. The Pipers gave it all they had and battled till the very end, but had no answers for the ground attack of Vernon or their stifling defence.

Josh Vandenberg was a problem all night for the Pipers' front five. Vandenberg used his long reach and blew up plays in the backfield for tackles for loss against the run, while getting after the quarterback and being virtually unblockable while rushing the passer on throwing downs.

Blake Bell won outstanding lineman of the game, Owen West took home best back, while Mcdonald was awarded MVP of the game. After the Panthers players were awarded their individual accolades, the team hoisted the AA championship trophy high in the air and started their celebration, which I'm sure will last the whole bus ride home.