The Comox Valley Raiders won the bantam football provincial championship Saturday in Langley, scoring the game鈥檚 final 14 points to beat the Nanaimo Seahawks 22-16.
The Raiders fought through adversity in true championship style.
The Seahawks opened the scoring with the only points of the opening quarter - a 21-yard reception by Everly Knudson for the major 10 minutes into the game. A two-point conversion attempt failed.
The Raiders came within a yard of tying the game with just under five minutes to play in the second, when disaster struck. A second-and-goal from Nanaimo one-yard-line resulted in a fumble on the goal line, recovered by the Seahawks.
The Raiders鈥� defence then did its part, forcing a two-and-out. The Comox Valley offence got the ball back at the Nanaimo 31. From there, Jayden Garcha faked an end-around hand-off and ran the other way for the major. Seth Fuller ran in a two-point convert, giving the Raiders an 8-6 lead.
Nanaimo regained the lead with 14 seconds remaining in the half, kicking a field goal for a 9-8 lead.
The Seahawks added to their lead with their first offensive possession of the second half, capitalizing on a botched Raiders punt.
Nanaimo got the ball at the Comox Valley 30-yard-line and ran it into the end zone three plays later for a 16-8 lead.
Queue the comeback.
Andres Esquivel Gutierrez stormed in from 12 yards out, set up by a 35-yard bomb from Garcha to Charles Roberts, two plays earlier. Garcha ran in the two-point conversion to tie the game at 16, midway through the third quarter.
Garcha showed his arm strength again, early in the fourth quarter, airing out a 32-yard pass to Max Lefebvre, giving the Raiders a first down at the Nanaimo 18.
Narayan Ellerby ran 16 yards up the gut for a first and goal from the two. Two plays later Garcha ran it in for the 22-16 lead.
The convert failed, but it mattered not. The Raiders鈥� defence held Nanaimo pointless for the final 7:45 of the game, ensuring the provincial championship for the Comox Valley squad.
The Record has reached out to coach Rene Poulin for additional comments.
Silver for midget Raiders
The midget Raiders were hoping the third time was the charm, as they faced a North Surrey squad for the provincial championship for the third straight season. And for the third straight season, the Raiders came up just short, falling 27-20 to the North Surrey Panthers.
