Howe Sound Sounders quarterback Rolan Mendoza ended his high school run in 麻豆社国产the same way he started it back in 2011 as a Grade 9 student 鈥� with a win.
The 2015 HSSS grad has made two trips to the Tier 2 Provincial finals, played almost every position on the field and has been an impact player ever since he first put on the blue and yellow jersey.
He capped off the 2014 season by leading the Sounders to a 31-12 win over the Eric Hamber Griffins on Saturday (Nov. 1) and ensured that Howe Sound qualifies for the playoffs occurring later this month.
Mendoza said it was a nice way to end his time on the field in Squamish.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a great feeling to play here in this beautiful place with my awesome teammates,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 great to go out with a win and I enjoyed all of my four years. It鈥檚 been a great opportunity.鈥�
He said the Sounders have finally put it all together and are on a winning streak heading into the playoffs.
鈥淭he guys have been focused but our offensive line has been the biggest factor,鈥� he said. 鈥淣o football team can win without a good offensive line and they won the game for us. All the credit goes to them.鈥�
Mendoza threw for 91 yards and two touchdown passes, as well as rushing for 82 yards himself in the win.
鈥淗onestly it feels really good to get the win because these guys have been working so hard all year,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 think we have a good shot at provincials. We know we can beat the other teams and we鈥檝e shown it. We鈥檙e a different team now and I hope we peak at the provincials.鈥�
Sounders coach Jim Errington said the Sounders played an excellent first half but struggled in the second. They were up 19-0 after two quarters but the Griffins hung around until Howe Sound finally buried them in the fourth quarter.
鈥淲hat was successful for us in the first half wasn't working as well in the second,鈥� Errington said in an email. 鈥淗amber made some adjustments after the half and we had to do a few things different.聽Our defensive line really pressured the quarterback most of the game getting six sacks and four turnovers.鈥�
Errington agreed with Mendoza that the play of the offensive line was a key to the win.
鈥淭he offensive line did a good job moving the line of scrimmage opening some holes and giving our QB and receivers time to connect,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e will need to be more consistent and play every down with the same intensity both sides of the ball to get past the Wildcats.鈥�
Scoring touchdowns for Howe Sound were: Nolan Nault (two), Andrew Pelletier, Ralph Belandres and Josh Edmunds. Nault led the way with 56 yard receiving and Edmunds added 47 yards on the ground.
The Sounders only allowed 72 yards defensively and were led by Luke Underwood and John Ruhland with four tackles apiece. Jonathan Hamill, Jake Bouchard and Pelletier recovered fumbles. Players with sacks included: Ruhland (two), Harrison Smith, Hamill, Pelletier and Bouchard. Edmunds grabbed the Sounders lone interception.
The win improves the Sounders final record to two wins and two losses and they finished third in Tier 2 competition. Howe Sound next travels to Burnaby to take on the second place Burnaby Central Wildcats on either Nov. 14 or 15. The two teams met on Oct. 3 when the Wildcats beat the Sounders 26-12 in Burnaby.
For more information on Tier 2 football, visit www.bchighschoolfootball.com.聽
