Despite a lack of agreement between the provincial government and the BCTF, high school football made its 2014 debut at Howe Sound Secondary School鈥檚 field on Saturday (Sept. 6).
The Howe Sound Sounders welcomed North Vancouver鈥檚 Argyle Pipers for the season opener but a sloppy first half cost the Sounders, as they lost 26-8.
Argyle scored on the very first drive of the game to go up 8-0 and the offense sputtered for Howe Sound for most of the first half. The Pipers added another touchdown in the second quarter to go up 16-0 at the half.
The Sounders looked much more polished in the second half, as running back Josh Edmunds scored to cap off a long drive and Howe Sound trailed 16-8.
But Howe Sound didn鈥檛 reach the end zone again, as the Pipers added another touchdown and a safety to secure the 26-8 win.
Argyle was effective in the air, completing 15 out of 20 passes for 156 yards and added another 119 yards on the ground. Edmunds, who was named the offensive player of the game, picked up 62 yards rushing to lead the Sounders. Receiver Nolan Nault added 44 yards on two catches.聽
Rolan Mendoza was awarded the defensive player of the game and he picked up a team high 14 tackles and one interception. Andrew Pelletier recorded five tackles and also recovered a fumble.聽
Sounders coach Jim Errington said the team still has a few kinks to work out.
鈥淔ive bad snaps, eight offside penalties, missed tackles, receivers not sure of their routes, blockers not knowing where their backs are 鈥� it all comes down to practice,鈥� he stated in an email. 鈥淲e鈥檝e got a good core of players, we just all need to be on the same page.聽
The Sounders return to action against Maple Ridge鈥檚 Samuel Robertson Technical Secondary School in 麻豆社国产on Saturday (Sept. 13). Kick-off is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
