The Howe Sound Sounders didn't seem to have an answer for the pass-happy Timberline Wolves during B.C. High School Football exhibition action in Campbell River on Saturday (Sept. 24).
The Wolves picked up 239 yards in the air to confound the Sounders' defence en route to a 41-20 win.
"We came up against a pretty good team," said Sounders head coach Joe Gignac. "Their quarterback had a really good arm and he had a good corps of receivers. They were ready for us and we weren't really ready to face that type of passing game yet."
Timberline built up a 27-point lead at halftime but the Sounders fought back in the third and fourth quarters to make the score more respectable. Gignac said he was pleased with the resiliency shown by his team.
"I try to look for something good in every game and I was really impressed by the composure of our quarterback [James Kyle]," he said. "He had a rough start but he stayed calm in there and had the courage to throw again."
Kyle started the game by throwing three straight interceptions but followed that with eight consecutive completions, including three touchdown passes. Gignac said the team was forced to go to the air after falling behind early and because Timberline seemed to have an answer for the Sounders' running game.
"We don't claim to be a passing team but we're trying to build towards a better passing game and it seems to be working," he said. "They stopped our run pretty well, though."
It was also a trying game for the Sounders' secondary, which saw the Wolves run 30 passing plays, a far higher number than the Sounders are accustomed to facing.
"Hopefully our secondary learned a lot," Gignac said. "They threw a lot but they had a great bunch of receivers and their quarterback was throwing some pinpoint passes against us."
He added that he was also pleased with the work of his special teams, who blocked a punt and a field goal. Individually, Swo-wo Gabriel led the team with 29 yards rushing, while Anthony Wuster picked up 82 yards receiving. Kyle, who showed poise after a slow start, was given the nod as offensive player of the game.
On the defensive side, Rory Baldwin led the team with eight tackles, picking up the defensive player of the game honours for his efforts. Jordan Gosteli, David Marlow and Cam Prouten all picked up sacks in the game.
The exhibition schedule will continue for the Sounders, with GP Vanier coming to town on Saturday (Oct. 1). Kick-off is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at Howe Sound field.
The regular season will start the following week when the Sounders take on Eric Hamber Secondary in Vancouver.
For more information on B.C. High School Football, visit www.bchighschoolfootball.com.
