Salmon Arm football players came out on the low end of the scoreboard on Nov. 11, but not for lack of effort.
The Salmon Arm Secondary Varsity Golds opening round playoff game was under the dome at BC Place on Nov. 11 versus Surrey’s Lord Tweedsmuir Panthers. It was definitely a game to remember, after 19 members of the Panthers got stuck in the elevator for almost two hours as they attempted to go down one floor to the locker room.
When the game finally started after a three-hour delay, turnovers, combined with the Panthers’ exceptional quarterback Mike Messenger, meant the Golds were defeated 41-16.
“Their quarterback was pretty special,” said Golds head coach Rob Neid. “He was nominated (provincially) for player of the year.”
Salmon Arm’s PL Lord had a 28-yard reception for a touchdown, while Matrix Gathergood carried 20 times for 161 yards and one touchdown.
“Overall we had 260 yards rushing, which is a great day,” said Neid, noting he is happy overall with the Golds’ season.
Meanwhile, in Calgary, the UBC Thunderbirds’ win streak ended with a 62-13 loss to the host Dinos in the Hardy Cup Canada West conference final, despite an 87-yard catch-and-run major by Salmon Arm’s Jordan Grieve.
On Nov. 9, Grieve was one of two unanimous UBC selections as Canada West All-Stars. Grieve led Canada West in receiving yards, and yards per game.