The Mount Douglas Rams have not lost a regular season triple-A senior varsity football game since Oct. 12, 2013, but will probably face one of its stiffest tests next weekend on the road at Vancouver College.
The Rams passed a tough exam on Friday, outlasting the New Westminster Hyacks 28-21 as the home team (and No. 1-ranked club in the province) improved to 3-0 in the tough Western Conference. New Westminster, rated No. 5 coming into the game, falls to 1-2.
Declann Michielin ran for two touchdowns and quarterback Gideone Kremler connected on two TD passes 鈥� one each to Gevhahn McNally-Hardisty and Gavin Cobb 鈥� for the win as the Rams bounced back from 15-8 deficit to lead 22-21 at the half.
It was the defence that strapped the victory down in the second half as McNally-Hardisty added an interception, Tyrese Hogue scooped up his second fumble recovery of the game and the Rams added a turnover on downs.
鈥淭hey were marching the ball really good so it was nice to get those stops,鈥� said Michielin, who was strong on offence and defence. 鈥淭hey played really hard and gave us a run for our money.
鈥淲e have a big one coming up now against Vancouver College. It鈥檚 a tough schedule, but our team always gives it all we have,鈥� added Michielin, who added a 73-yard touchdown romp in the last minute that was called back. He did rattle off a 34-yard score and added one from the goal line, immediately after a long run from midfield.
Michielin rushed for 152 yards and added 13 tackles while Justice Kremler added 12.
The Hyacks scored on a great catch at the back of the end zone by Justin Swartz from QB Nicolas Hauka, who added a two-point conversion on a run. The visitors took a 15-8 lead on a 12-yard run from Gurvir Ghurman on a reverse play.
Hauka also connected with Michael Thind on a long passing score for New West.
Mount Doug, which last lost a regular-season game two years ago in a 52-49 defeat to W.J. Mouat, now focuses on No. 3-ranked Vancouver College, which is also 3-0 after defeating Belmont 42-14 on Friday night at Westhills Stadium.
Just prior to the senior Rams鈥� game, Gideone Kremler ran for four TDs as the Mount Doug juniors lost a tough 47-46 result to New West, which received five scores from Sammy Sidhu.
Earl Marriot (2-0) defeated Spectrum (0-2) by a 41-33 score in a Tier II varsity game in Victoria on Thursday.
