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Ravens face tough test in Panthers

Second-ranked Terry Fox to take on top-rated Tweedsmuir team on Friday
Centennial-Tweedsmuir
Centennial's Antonio Bianchi (5) scrambles to secure the ball as Kaiden Lilley (10) and Alexander Thornton (81) of Lord Tweedsmuir close in on him during their BC high school football game at Percy Perry Stadium on Friday.

Martin McDonnell is hoping when his Terry Fox Ravens step off the bus in Surrey to do battle with top-ranked Lord Tweedsmuir Panthers on Friday they’re more prepared to play than when they disembarked in Kelowna last Friday.

The Ravens, who are No. 2 in the B.C. High School Football AAA rankings, head into the showdown coming off a 41-0 victory over the hometown Kelowna Owls to run Terry Fox’s record to 3-0. But, according to McDonnell, the final score was deceiving because they were only up 14-0 after the third quarter.

“They don’t seem to be ready to play at the start of the games,” said McDonnell. “It is difficult. They are kids, and they get on the bus for four hours and get off it. We never seem to do well on those Kelowna trips. You go up there and back the same day. Even when we played in Abbotsford we did the same thing.

“If we’re going to compete with those teams, the [2017 provincial champion New Westminster Hyacks] and STMs (St. Thomas More of Burnaby) and Tweeds, we’re going to have to play better.

“We’re getting off the bus thinking because we’re wearing white and red we’re winning.”

McDonnell had little problem with the Ravens defence in Kelowna. It was the offence that took so long to click. 

“We can’t play like that, we have to play more disciplined,” he said. “We need to play better if we deserve to have any other ranking. We need to step it up this week. We can do it, we have the talent, I just don’t think we’re playing as well as we can.

“We’re just not in shape yet. We got some big hoggies (offensive linement) and we’re not in shape yet.”

Tweedsmuir is coming off a 78-7 thrashing of Coquitlam’s Centennial Centaurs at Percy Perry Stadium. The powerhouse Panthers have won the last two junior varsity provincial titles, which is why they are favoured to be the varsity champs this year.

McDonnell said a key for the Ravens to beat the Panthers is for the offence to control the clock by running the ball in order to keep Tweedsmuir’s offence off the field. Amongst its many stars, the Surrey’s squad includes Jaden Simon, son of B.C. Lions legend Geroy Simon, who holds the CFL record for career receiving yards. Jaden got one of Tweedsmuir’s TDs against Centennial on a 33-yard catch.

“They’re a good solid team, they’re coming off the ball well. Just hard, good football. That’s what our guys need to do. It’s not super fancy what they’re doing, but they’re a hard-nosed team and they’re playing well,” said McDonnell. “They have everyone and their dog scoring.

“They’re spreading it out, it’s just not one player. They’ve got a bunch of talent. And their line’s pretty solid.”

Heading into the fourth quarter in Kelowna, Cade Cote had scored both of Terry Fox’s touchdowns. He added a third on a 40-yard pass from quarterback Matt Lew-Henriksen for a 21-0 lead early in the fourth before Matt Hewa Baddege found the end zone on a five-yard rush. Lew-Henricksen followed with a 35-yard TD toss to Ethan Shuen and Alex Malcic capped it off with an interception for a touchdown.

Against Centennial, Tweedsmuir scored five rushing touchdowns, including two by Noah Anderson, and two by passes. They also scored three defensive TDs [two interceptions and a fumble recovery] and another on a kickoff return by Yosef Drysdale, who also scored on a 50-yard reception.

The Panthers, said McDonnell, will provide the Ravens with a litmus test on just how good they are. Defeat, however, wouldn’t be the end of the world. He cited a loss to No.-5 ranked St. Thomas More during the regular season last year before rebounding to beat the Knights in the provincial semifinals.

“It’s not the worst-case scenario,” said McDonnell. “If nothing else we learned we don’t have to win every game. We proved that last year, but you do need to win to get into the playoffs and get on a roll.”

• Game time on Friday is 3 p.m. at Lord Tweedsmuir, 6151 180th Street in the Cloverdale neighbourhood.

sports@tricitynews.com