The Mount Douglas Rams will appear in a fifth straight AAA Subway Bowl as they defeated the No. 1 ranked Terry Fox Ravens 53-20 in the B.C. High School Football semifinal at B.C. Place on Saturday.
The junior Rams also return to the Subway Bowl, with a 26-14 win over Lord Tweedsmuir in the junior semifinal, Wednesday in Burnaby. They’ll face the New Westminster Hyacks at 1:30 p.m. in B.C. Place on Saturday.
The senior Rams, – who are in position to win their fourth Subway Bowl in five years – faces the only team to beat them this year, the Vancouver College Fighting Irish. The senior game starts at 7 p.m.
“If you had told us 10 months ago that we would be starting a Grade 9 at quarterback [on the senior team], have a true [senior] roster of 24 players, lose two running backs to season-ending injuries and [make it to the] 2015 Subway Bowl, I would have said you have something loose,” said Rams head coach Mark Townsend.
The Rams’ senior semifinal was a rematch of the 2013 Subway Bowl, when the Rams defeated Terry Fox 32-27.
And now the Rams are in another significant rematch, seeking revenge against the Fighting Irish, who blanked the Rams 20-0 on Nov. 1. Not only was the shutout a rare feat for the Rams, it ended a Rams’ regular season win streak dating back to 2013, the same year it won the last of three straight AAA Subway Bowl titles.
Grade 9 wonder boy Gideone Kremler will do double duty again, as he has all season. Townsend confirmed Kremler will quarterback both the varsity and junior Subway Bowl games on Saturday.
Kremler helped the junior Rams win their semifinal on Wednesday and then led the senior Rams to victory Saturday.
“Gideone has played great all season but what is really encouraging is that he continues to get better each week as he gains valuable experience [at the senior level],” Townsend said.
Against Terry Fox, Kremler threw for 188 yards and three touchdowns, with a 23-yard pass to Oliver MacKenzie, a 34-yard pass to Declann Michelien and a 55-yard completion to Gavin Cobb.
Cobb also took reps at QB, connecting with MacKenzie for a 50-yard touchdown completion. Michelien also rushed for a two-yard touchdown as he finished with 20 carries for 157 yards. Cobb ran in a five-yard touchdown and Manny Lopez had a 16-yard touchdown rush. Lopez continued to be a force on defence with nine tackles.
But the play that may have been the biggest difference maker on Saturday was defensive back Gevhahn McNally-Hardisty’s interception and 45-yard touchdown return to make it 26-7 for the Rams in the second quarter, Townsend said.
“We are extremely proud of the effort by each player, in their next man up attitude, and in their preparation for this challenge that was put before them,” said the coach.
reporter@saanichnews.com