Despite being new kids on the block, Troy Wilton is predicting a strong finish for the Hitmen in the North Shore GSL Football League.
This is the minor football team’s first year in the league, which follows American football rules with full tackle and four downs. The 12-to-13-year-old age division requires a minimum of 11 players to create a team, and Squamish started with 12.
“We’re now at 17,” head coach Wilton said, noting the majority of teams in the league boast a rooster of 22.
The low head count and green players aren’t holding them back, Wilton said. Last weekend, the Hitmen had a close game against the Westside Warriors, last year’s champions.
“It was ours to win, but then we had some injuries,” Wilton said. “The boys played really well.”
The Hitmen scored a touchdown on their first drive with Matt Seamans in the end zone. The Warriors fought back to tie the game in the first quarter. Entering the second quarter, the Hitmen’s Jhett Verner broke away to claim a touchdown. The Hitmen’s field goal hit the bar, Wilton added.
“It was so close.”
After the half-time whistle blew, it was as if the Warriors brought a completely different crew of defence onto the field, Wilton said.
“Their defence came out like a totally different team,” he said. “We weren’t getting out of the back field.”
With three minutes left in the game, the Warriors intercepted the ball, scoring the winning touchdown of the game. The scoreboard read 12 to 13.
Wilton said he’s pleased with the Hitmen’s performance.
“We only have four players who have played football before this season,” he said. “We’ve got some really talented kids in Squamish…. We’ve got some really strong players who will only get stronger with time.”
The head coach added he wouldn’t be surprised if the Hitmen finished the season ranked second or third.
The game marked the third match of the season. Last month the Hitmen earned a victory against the North Shore Vikings, winning the game 20 to 14 in overtime.
“The game really broke down into the fourth quarter where our defence came up huge,” Wilton said. “Jackson Gordon had a key sack in the fourth quarter, as well as Diego Blanco hitting the Vikings running back so hard that the ball popped loose and Keegan Taylor jumped on it to give us back possession.”
Seamans also had a “huge” game, landing the team three touchdowns, Wilton said.
The team will play 10 games, then head to the playoffs. The Hitmen’s record stands with one win and two losses, currently placing them in fourth position. The next home game is at Howe Sound Secondary School on Sunday, Oct. 18 at 1:30 p.m.
