October 19, 2019
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GOTW BC: CFC50 New West Hyacks look to erase last year’s defeat against the CFC50 VC Fighting Irish

This Saturday afternoon, the CFC50 No. 12 Vancouver College Fighting Irish will host the CFC50 No. 24 New Westminster Hyacks on their turf in what the Hyacks are hoping will be redemption from last’s year loss.

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While the Irish are 3-1 in the regular season, their only loss has been to CFC50 No. 6 South Delta, the HyacksĀ  on the other hand remain undefeated at this point, 4-0.

“I think weā€™ve done some good things but I also think weā€™re far from a finished product. The Mt Douglas game is the only game where weā€™ve felt good about our performance, the others were more the result of our athletes than it was our execution,” said head coach Farhan Lalji of the Hyacks. “We have some athletes and we believe in our systems, but there is a lot of growth that is still to come. Record-wise Iā€™m not surprised at where we are, but we still have our toughest games ahead of us.”

This game, along with their last one against South Delta, are bound to be highly suspenseful and entertaining. But which team will dig the deepest on this day? Will it be the Irish who, no doubt, want to put an exclamation mark on this game, or the Hyacks who want nothing more than to erase last year’s memory.

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Vancouver College’s head coach, Todd Bernett, reflected on the game against South Delta and said, “We took a few lessons away from our loss to South Delta; mostly that game was a reflection of who we were at that time, which was very inconsistent. We have focused hard at moving on from our challenges, because a loss like that will either wake you up or sink your confidence”.

We would be hard pressed to say the VC would ever lack confidence and it shows in their play. Always boasting a roster of talent, the Irish can rely on multiple offensive weapons as well as depend on their defense to shut down the intricate offense that the Hyacks bring with vigour.

“We will prepare for this game the way we always do, no game is any different. We follow the same routines and have the same message,” said Coach Bernett. “But it is not lost on any of us that this is a very important game and that we need to be at our best to have a chance to win.”

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A chance to win is what all teams hope for. However, there must be more than relying on ‘chance’ to win. There must be preparation, film study, daily practice, focus each time you step on the field, and a darn good game plan. That commitment and buy in would give any team more than a ‘chance’ to win. The Hyacks recognize that the Irish do all of the above and will have to be in top form and be ready for anything for this matchup.

Coach Lalji, mentions that “in order to win you have to execute and finish”.Ā 

“They are such a well coached team that sometimes the additions are based on that as much as they are the players themselves. It actually makes it a lot of fun for us as coaches, trying to balance that line of strategizing, making sure the kids can handle and execute it, and staying true to who you are.”

CFC150 running back/defensive back, Greyson Planinsic for the Hyacks is looking forward to playing this ‘well coached’ team. He says the Hyacks have to play fast, physical, and stay mentally strong and focussed. “Its going to be a tough game with bad weather and we need to keep our heads in the game, and play our game.”

Planinsic currently has 608 yards rushing with 7 rushing touchdowns, to go along with 12 tackles and 1 sack from his defensive position.

A high speed game with talent strewn all over the field on both sides, this game will be highly competitive and, as we said earlier, extremely entertaining. It wasn’t lost on RB/DB Jason Soriano for VC, how the South Delta game “humbled” his team.

“Our loss against South Delta really humbled us. It also really motivated us to work better in practice and in the weight room. I think weā€™re improving as a team each week, slowly getting better and cleaning things up,” he said. “Our offence is definitely looking more polished and aggressive, while our defence is more disciplined.”

In 3 games played, Soriano is leading his team in receiving with 6 receptions for 264 yards, averaging 44 yards per reception, and 2 touchdown receptions.

The Hyack’s running back Michael Udoh also believes that discipline is what could be the determining factor in what the outcome of this game is.Ā “Staying focused on our game plans, because our coaches have made necessary adjustments to put us in a better spot to execute perfectly.”

Udoh goes on to say that to play to their full potential they will be in the best position when the final whistle blows. Currently, he’s getting just over 12 yards per carry, and in 5 games played, has 605 yards rushing with 7 rushing touchdowns. He also has 8 receptions for 108 yards and 1 touchdown reception. With his performance so far, he has had interest from Simon Fraser University and Central Washington.

That’s a lot of yardage and a definite player that the Irish will have to work to contain. Soriano isn’t going to let the hype of the game cloud his mind on what they are truly set to do on Saturday.

“We have our minds on getting a win and thatā€™s it. And the keys to winning this game is definitely staying disciplined on defence, not falling for New wests confusing offense. And offensively just staying aggressive and reestablishing our physicality.”

Being aggressive and physical is something that is right up defensive end/tight end Owen Stark‘s alley who says his goal is to sack every quarterback he can get his hands on.

“This week we are trying to emphasize precision, every detail of our game has been reinforced, we know what is going to take to win and we have the passion to achieve it.”

Hyack football embodies the principles of staying SHARP: Selfless, Hardworking, Accountable, Respectful, and Passionate.”If you donā€™t know Hyack football, then the only way to describe it is Sharp. We have so much talent and so much potential, Our coaches have built countless talented athletes and forged a powerhouse program; as a team we are as tight of a group as a team can get, we are brothers fighting for the school we have grown to love.”

Stark has been in conversation with several schools at the next level and he’s excited to take that next step. With his 23 tackles, 5 sacks, and 1 fumble recovery that should be enough to get the recruiters attention for sure.Ā “Bottom line Iā€™m going to do everything I can to succeed with my brothers.”

From the sounds of it, both teams have rung the bell and will wait for the other to answer. Coach Lalji knows they have to execute on both sides of the ball. “Every year the are a couple games that are really meaningful and playing VC is always at the top,” he said.Ā 

“They run a very effective zone scheme and have some good athletes, so we need to hold up at the point of attack. Offensively we have to be technique-sound because, finish blocks and stay on schedule. And we need to play our best game in terms of protecting the ball and discipline.”

What it comes down to? Who’s going to do their job, do it the best, and do it to the fullest of their potential while avoiding costly mistakes and penalties. That’s not too much to ask is it?

Kickoff is at 1:30pm at Vancouver College.

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