Despite it being Salmon Arm's nickname, Terry Fox running back Jake Nylund was pure gold Saturday.
Nylund scampered for 158 yards and three touchdowns on 21 rushes as the Ravens shook off the scrappy visiting Golds 20-18 in a B.C. AAA senior high school boys exhibition football game at Terry Fox Oval.
Nylund scored on the Ravens' second possession when he bolted 32 yards to paydirt, then upped the hosts' lead to 12-0 by bolting in from yards out to cap a 10-play, 71-yard drive.
Salmon Arm then battled back, however, scoring on a 62-yard reverse before halftime, then evening the count 12-12 as the Ravens began to struggle on the defensive side of the ball.
Nylund then struck again, barreling into the end zone from five yards out and then added a two-point convert to boost the Ravens' margin to 20-12.
Again, the Golds refused to give, scoring on yet another reverse to cut the gap to 20-18.
That was all they would manage mind you, as the Ravens managed to run out the clock with an effective ground attack.
After Nylund, Mark Casuga was next among Fox rushers with 39 yards on seven carries.
Ravens quarterback Trevor Casey was good on seven of 11 pass attempts for 107 yards, including an interception.
Tyrel Ratich was Casey's favourite target on the day, snagging four receptions for 71 yards.
Grayson Medwid rallied the Ravens' defence with five solo tackles, two assists and an interception. Nylund was next with four solos, two assists and a quarterback sack, while Ratich and Jon Tam each had three solos.
Next up, the Ravens take on the New Westminster Hyacks in another exhibition game Friday at Percy Perry Stadium, 7 p.m.
The Jr. Ravens, meanwhile, open their season by visiting the Hyacks tomorrow (Thursday) at Mercer Stadium, 5:30 p.m.
