The Black Tusk Bowl is again in the grips of the Howe Sound Sounders, but the third edition of the annual Sea to Sky football classic on Saturday, Oct. 11 came down to the final minutes.
After the Pemberton Grizzlies took a 12-6 lead with 1:45 to go, Howe Sound鈥檚 Nolan Nault returned the ensuing kick-off 78 yards to tie the game up and the Sounders then converted on a two-point conversion to win 14-12.
Sounders coach Jim Errington said it was a big win for his club, who had failed to win thus far in 2014.
鈥淚t was great to see some of our younger players like Nolan Nault and rookie Hayden Taylor come up with some game-saving plays,鈥� he said in an email. 鈥淭his was our best game so far this year, but missed blocks and tackles will not get us by the Griffins next week.鈥�
Both club鈥檚 offenses failed to do much in the first half, with the Grizzlies leading the Sounders 2-0 after two quarters. Howe Sound got on the board when Andrew Pelletier scored a rushing touchdown. Pemberton scored another safety and then picked up a touchdown in the fourth quarter only to have Nault help win the game on the punt return.
Rolan Mendoza led the Sounders offensively with 47 yards rushing on 12 attempts, with Pelletier contributing 41 yards on seven carries. Taylor grabbed the team鈥檚 lone interception and Josh Edmunds recovered a fumble to swing the momentum for Howe Sound. Pemberton was effective in its passing game, picking up 115 yards and completing nine passes.
The Black Tusk Bowl is an annual clash of the Sea to Sky Corridor鈥檚 top young football programs and it was the first time the event has been held in Pemberton. Howe Sound won the previous two encounters 33-2 in 2012 and 34-14 in 2013.
The Sounders return to Tier II BC High School Football competition on Saturday (Oct. 18) when they travel to Vancouver to take on the Eric Hamber Griffins. The next home game for Howe Sound is on Oct. 25 when Timberline comes to Squamish.
For more details on Tier II Varsity football, visit www.bchighschoolfootball.com.
