Football fans were treated to a nail biter at Masich Place Stadium last night (Saturday), as the Lheidli T’enneh Kodiaks picked up a 23-21 win over the Kamloops Broncos.
The Kodiaks were wearing their special yellow jerseys, in recognition of tomorrow’s (Monday) National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
“You got to win before you figure out how to win, and taking steps like that,” said Head Coach Jamie Boreham.
“Had some good performances by the defence, we’re in position, less errors. Offensively, we found some run game late which sealed the deal, we’ve got to be more consistent, but it’s nice to get on the right side of a score.”
Last night’s matchup was a battle of defence, with both teams making several big stops and coming away with interceptions.
“I thought we had a lot of good moments,” said Kodiaks defensive back Peyton Briere.
“The d-line was crushing it, linebackers were playing the run well, tackling well, and defensive backs, we made a lot of plays on the ball, I thought it was all around a good game.”
The Kodiaks picked off Broncos quarterback Ryan Petersen four times, three of those by Briere.
“I was just reading the quarterback, getting my depth, reading the quarterback, making the play on the ball,” Briere said.
Taeman Piddocke came away with a pick for the Kodiaks as well.
Offesnively, Xander Shane’s ground game got it done for the Kodiaks, but there were several key plays through the air.
Brady Van Someren hauled in three big catches for the Kodiaks, including one that set up a Sawyer Thiessen quarterback sneak touchdown the next play.
Thiessen also found Kayle Cowley on a 19-yard touchdown pass.
There was a shift in momentum in the third quarter, after a questionable third-down pass interference call in the end zone on the Kodiaks gave the Broncos a fresh set of downs.
Austin Sethen ran in a 16 yard touchdown on the next play to bring the Broncos within one score.
Following an interception, the Broncos were able to take the lead as Petersen found Coltin Peterson on a 24-yard touchdown pass.
Following the touchdown, the Broncos attempted an onside kick, but it rolled out of bounds.
The Kodiaks made the Broncos rekick after the penalty, and they decided to kick off normally.
On the ensuing drive, Carson Briere made a big play, catching a tipped pass for a first down.
Shane made another big run, bringing the Kodiaks down to the six.
Harper hit his third field goal of the night, splitting the uprights from 14 yards, and putting the Kodiaks ahead 23-21.
The defence came up huge in the final minutes, getting a big sack on third down.
With about 20 seconds to go, the Kodiaks drew the Broncos offside on third down, giving them enough yards to gain the first down and seal the game.
“I believe we called a timeout, or they did, there was a timeout, I went up to coach and I said “go on second sound?” He’s like, let’s do it,” Thiessen said.
“O-line held their ground, let the guy hit them, and that sealed it. That was exciting, I think that was huge for the program today.”
Thiessen said to get the win in the Kodiaks’ last home game of the season was huge.
“For us, for the fans, it’s been a bit of a roller coaster this year, so to end on a positive note at home, nothing feels better,” Thiessen said.
Boreham said the win was huge, especially with it coming during the team’s game recognizing tomorrow’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
“On this night celebrating Truth and Reconciliation, in our community with the Lheidli T’enneh and everyone else in our community and sponsors, it’s a great event,” he said.
“It’s a celebration of togetherness, and that we can do things together. Football’s a neat sport that it’s not built for one type of person, big, tall, skinny, bigger, we need them of all shapes and sizes, and that’s the world, if we can find ways to work with other people in our community, Prince George can be a really amazing place, and so this is just one way that we can give back, and show some recognition and appreciation and support, but winning at home, it’s fantastic.”
With the win, the Kodiaks move to 2-7 and are sitting sixth in the BC Football Conference standings.
The BC Football Conference standings can be found here.
The Kodiaks will finish off their regular season on Saturday, facing off against the Broncos one more time in Kamloops.
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