It may not have been the most graceful way to qualify for the postseason, but the Howe Sound Sounders football team are heading to the B.C. High School Football Tier 2 playoffs and that's all that matters.
The team lost to the Frank Hurt Hornets for the second time this year, this time by a score of 42-26, but still managed to qualify for the playoffs based on the fact that they managed to score more total points than the third place Moscrop Panthers.
The loss left the Sounders with a record of three wins and three losses but they happened to outscore the Panthers by 35 points to clinch the berth.
"It was the best game the Sounders have played in a while," said team media rep Janice MacLean. "Coaches were quite pleased with the team's playing.
"There was some weakness on one side of our defense, which provided too many opportunities for this very fast team. The Frank Hurt Hornets were really hungry for the win, as they would have been out of the playoffs if they lost.The Howe Sound Sounders were in the playoffs regardless of the outcome of this game."
It was another strong performance from running back Cory Constantin against the Hornets, scoring three touchdowns. Running back Anthony Wuster scored the other two touchdowns on the day for Howe Sound.
The team will now make a long six-hour trip to Kamloops to take on the Westsyde Blue Wave. Westsyde placed first in the Interior Conference, earning them a home playoff game and the right to take on the second place team in the Western Conference, the Sounders.
According to Sounders wide receiver Kenny Gore, it should be an challenging experience for the team.
"We get to make the long road trip but we don't really know anything about Westsyde," he said. "We're going to practice pretty intensely before the game and watch some video to see how we can improve."
Gore pointed out that the team is looking to try to pass the ball a little more, an aspect of the team's game which has been lacking in the past few weeks. He also said the team is looking to work on their inside running game in anticipation of the playoff battle.
Frank Hurt, who Gore said is a strong and dangerous team, will host Vernon and the winner of that game will take on the winner of the Sounders and Blue Wave game the following week.
In the Island Conference, undefeated Belmont will take on GP Vanier and in the other semi-final game Timberline hosts Nanaimo.
The Sounders will take on Westsyde under the "Friday Night Lights" of Hillside Stadium in Kamloops on Friday (Nov. 12). Kick-off for the game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
