The North versus South Langley Minor Football wars entered their second battle this past weekend.
The sign says you’re in Bear country but the Stampeders were not convinced. Both the North Langley Kodiaks and the Langley Minor Football Stampeders share the use of McLeod Athletic Park. Saturday evening’s game was considered as the Kodiaks home game.
Stampeders had a point to make. They think MAP is their land.
The first quarter was a struggle with most of the game being played in the Stampeders end of the field. However, neither team was able to put any points on the board.
Well into the second Kodiaks took over possession on the Stamps 37 yard line with a turn over on downs. Stamps were able to force the Kodiaks into what became a successful 28 yard field goal situation, putting North Langley ahead 3-0.
On their next drive Kodiaks took over the ball on Stamps 40 yard line. Again they were not successful in the red zone, forced into a kicking situation. They were able to add three more points with a 19 yard effort. North Langley took a 6-0 lead into the dressing room.
The third started much like the first half. Most of the play was in the Stampeders' half of the field. Kodiaks twice got possession inside the Langley 25 yard line. One drive was snuffed out with a blocked field goal attempt. The second chance from the 21 was ended with an interception by Josh Fletcher at the 2-yard line.
The third series of the fourth quarter saw the Stamps finally get possession in Kodiak territory at the 45. In three plays they moved deep into the opposition end. A defensive penalty set the Stampeders up with a first and goal inside the 5-yard line. Azuka Okoli drove in to the end zone for the game’s only TD from the 4-yard line. The convert was good making the score 7-6.
Three series later the Kodiaks started a drive from their 25. They went seven plays before Stamps Nathan Murray picked off a Kodiak pass. Stamps had the ball at their 22 and were able to run out the clock to end the game.
This low score was not expected as both teams had averaged over 25 points per game to date.
The Kodiak receiver Maximillan Joseph gave the Stamps defence fits all night and completed several highlight reel catches during the game.
By winning 7-6 the Stamps have locked up first place in the BBCFL Midget division and wrap up league play next Sunday at MAP against the Victoria Spartans, 2 p.m. start time.
Kodiaks face North Surrey Bears next Saturday, also at MAP in an attempt to settle second and third place in the standings at 4 p.m.