By Ashley Wray - Chilliwack Progress

Published: October 15, 2008 6:00 PM The Chilliwack Junior Bantam White Giants defeated the Burnaby Lions on Saturday night with a final score of 40 to 31. Needing a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, the team performed their fourth comeback of the season under the lights at Townsend Field. Trailing 25 to 20 at the start of the fourth quarter and with the ball deep in their own territory, JB White responded with tremendous resolve and determination. In their eighth game of the season, JB White all star Mario Narte capped off a seven play 92 yard drive with a one yard run into the end zone. He had a spectacular game, leading the team in rushing, as well as scoring three touchdowns on the ground, completing four of nine passes, and scoring two special teams touchdowns. In the fourth quarter, speedster Filip Horak caught an important 14 yard pass and had a solid tackle on special teams.

In a game where there were five lead changes, JB White did what they could to maintain their late lead. Their defense stepped up next as cornerback Brandon Barratt, who led the team on defense with six solo tackles and three assists, and carried the ball a team high of 14 times for 134 yards, threw a hard hit, tackling a Lion runner deep in the backfield.

The ensuing Burnaby punt was fielded by Narte who took it 55 yards to the house. To their credit, the Lions stormed back with a quick score. JB White then put the game away with a touchdown as running back Brandon Barratt ran around the left end before diving into the end zone.

A number of players battled through the pain to help their team clench their third win of the season; Eric Rogers battled a nagging knee injury and hauled in three passes for 40 yards, caught a point-after-touchdown conversion play and had three tackle assists playing cornerback on defense. Safety Brandon Tooke gutted out a strong performance while battling injury, to snag an interception and assist in 3 tackles, and Jake Carey played through the pain of a sore ankle, contributing with solid offensive blocking at fullback and playing different defensive positions, scoring one solo tackle, an assist and a hit causing a fumble. As well, hulking running back Clay Cullen fought through an injured hand to finish the game and carried the ball 5 times for 21 yards, and still managed physical play at linebacker on defense recording two solo tackles, and one assist.

JB White’s season record now sits at three wins, four losses and a tie, with a total of seven points from the eight games. After a week bye, JB White plays the Mission 9ers at Heritage Park on Oct. 25 at 12:30 p.m.

Chilliwack Giants still alive
Published: October 29, 2008 6:00 PM
Updated: October 29, 2008 10:47 PM
The Chilliwack junior bantam White Giants kept their VCFL playoff hopes alive with a 37-8 victory Saturday afternoon at Heritage Park against the Mission 9ers.

Trailing 8-0 after a slow start, Chilliwack scored touchdowns on five consecutive possessions and stepped up their play on defense, shutting down the 9ers offensive attack.

Quarterback Mario Narte threw for a season high 289 yards and four touchdowns, two apiece to slotback Brandon Barratt and wide receiver Jed Ferguson.

Narte threw his passes behind the outstanding blocking of offensive linemen Logan McCracken, Ross Doyle, Josh Ferguson. Narte ran behind them for another touchdown, as did running back Connor Herrmann.

Herrmann also lead the defensive charge with four solo tackles, three assists and two hits causing fumbles. After Mission’s first two drives, the Chilliwack defense dominated, allowing only 14 total yards on 18 plays while causing two fumbles and grabbing an interception.

The White Giants now face the challenge of needing a decisive victory in the final game of the season versus Meadow Ridge Gold to get the final playoff spot in the competitive VCFL’s junior bantam division.

Chilliwack will secure a playoff berth with a 15-point win against the Knights. The White Giants head into the final game of the season playing their best football, having won their last two games.

Giants roll into playoffs
Published: November 05, 2008 6:00 PM
Updated: November 05, 2008 6:04 PM
The Chilliwack White Giants defeated the rival Meadow Ridge Gold Knights 44-12 in the last game of the regular season to secure the fourth and final playoff spot in the VCFL’s junior bantam division.

Needing to not only win the game, but gain victory by 15 points to claim the head-to-head tiebreaker, Chilliwack rose to the challenge with a complete team effort.

The offense gained 447 total yards while scoring seven touchdowns and the defense continued its torrid late season play, surrendering only 73 total yards to the Knights, including two quarterback sacks and an interception.

Quarterback Mario Narte ran for a game-high 231 yards on 15 carries, scoring three touchdowns, including a spectacular 65 yard romp on the game’s first play from scrimmage. Bruising running back Connor Herrmann scored the team’s other running touchdown.

Narte threw three touchdown passes, hooking up with Brandon Barratt, Brandon Tooke and Eric Rogers.

Defensively, Barratt set the tone and led the team with four solo tackles, three assists and an interception from his linebacker position. Logan McCracken played his best game of the season with three solo tackles, one assist and a pass knockdown.

The Giants now face the first place Abbotsford Falcons in a semi-final playoff game this Saturday afternoon at Abbotsford’s Rotary Stadium.