In what was a potential warm up for a championship game, Langley’s two midget football teams clashed at McLeod Stadium Sunday.
This time around, the South defeated the North as the Langley Stampeders clawed to a 7-0 win over the North Langley Kodiaks in what was a defensive battle throughout.
The Stampeders scored on their first drive as Azuka Okoli was able to run the ball into the end zone.
That was all the offence the Stamps needed as they held the Kodiaks off the scoreboard.
The Stamp’ defensive line frustrated the North Langley running attack all game, led by Colten Dejong and Joe Nickel with five solo tackles apiece. Leatham Bright and Stryker Roloff had four tackles each while Tyler Kermode and James Clifford had three takedowns apiece.
Owen Jenkins and Kai Sommerville each sacked the quarterback and cornerback Damon Minhas had a big interception for the Stampeders to end the first half.
Stampeders quarterback Shawn Lal threw for 100 yards, and Cam’ron Lobban led Langley’s pass catchers with 55 yards receiving. Other targets included Sheldon Gangloff (30 yards receiving), and Joshua Wilson (15 yards).
Okoli finished the game with 180 yards rushing and the lone Stampeders touchdown.
For the Kodiaks, Drey Blair had a strong game running the ball.
The second quarter saw Langley take the ball all the way to the Kodiaks’ three yard line before a fumble gave the ball back to North Langley.
With the ball on his team’s 28 yard line and time winding down in the half, North Langley’s Isaiah Key aired it out to Luke Chalk for a 49 yard gain, but an unsportsmanlike penalty brought the play back 15 yards. A Stamps’ interception brought the half to a close.
The defensive battle continues in the second half with neither team able to get into the red zone.
A fake punt and pass by the Kodiaks Charlie May to teammate Luke Chalk kept a North Langley third quarter drive going but a fumbled snap would end another drive.
Despite the loss, the Kodiaks finished the regular season in first place as they enter the playoffs.
The North Langley Bears were in action in different age divisions last weekend.
Peewee
The Bears’ season is over after they lost 32-0 to the Abbotsford Falcons on Saturday in a playoff semifinal at Abbotsford’s Rotary Stadium.
Bantam
The Bears capped their season with a 27-0 win over the Meadow Ridge Knights Saturday at Samuel Robertson Technical School.
Fullback Zack Rohan had a great game with two rushing touchdowns and one passing major.
Ciaran Davies tried his hand as a running back and successfully punched the ball down the field at every opportunity.
Kaleb Reemeyer and Aaron Linden both recorded passing touchdowns, respectfully.
As well, Coltrane Davyduck had a strong outing, moving the ball consistently.
Allan Kwai shutdown any possibility for the Knights with a deep interception to round out the day.
Championship Saturday
Valley Community Football League finals are being held in three divisions Saturday at McLeod Stadium.
The schedule is:
Atom — Meadow Ridge Knights vs. Abby Falcons Black at 1:30 p.m.
Peewee — Abby Falcons White vs. Meadows Ridge Knights at 4 p.m.
Junior bantam — North Langley Bears vs. Meadows Ridge Knights at 6:30 p.m.