JV Grizzlies look flawless in win over Abbotsford

CHILLIWACK — What better way for the G.W. Graham JV football team to set the stage for a dominant victory than an early kickoff return of 76 yards to electrify their players and home fans.

The GW Graham JV Grizzlies continued their dominant run in conference play last Thursday with an impressive 55-0 victory over the Abbotsford Panthers, highlighted by a thrilling touchdown return from Kingston Moran, at Exhibition Stadium in Chilliwack.

The victory marked the second shutout win in as many weeks for the Grizzlies, who blanked W.J. Mouat 49-0 back on Oct. 2.

Once Moran orchestrated his magic, G.W. Graham’s offense, anchored by a strong starting offensive line—Cooper Cools, Brady Henderson, Austin Pierce, Cole Dempsey, and Max Kiener—controlled the game by opening up huge running lanes and giving quarterbacks plenty of time to find open receivers.

Starting quarterback Ben Fleenor was sharp in the pocket, completing 5-of-7 passes for 95 yards and two touchdowns before giving way to second quarterback Gage Magowan.

Image: Katie Kiener / G.W. Graham quarterback Ben Fleenor finds time to deliver a strike, thanks to protection from Max Kiener (#79) and Brady Henderson (#59), as Oakley Veenstra (#1) runs a route.

Magowan maintained the team’s stellar momentum, completing 2-of-5 passes for 56 yards and two more touchdowns, while also contributing a 21-yard run. The Grizzlies spread the ball well through the air, with Jackson Gamboa leading the receiving corps with 2 catches for 62 yards and two touchdowns. Dawson Holdridge, Jackson Sutton, Oakley Veenstra, and Jaiden Sakounchareun also added key receptions, each finding the end zone or helping move the chains.

On the ground, the Grizzlies unfurled a balanced attack with Landon Keddy rushing for 45 yards and a touchdown on just two carries, Cohen Magnusson contributing 51 yards and a score on three carries, and Jaiden Farmer adding 30 yards on two carries.

Image: Katie Kiener / G. W. Graham players Brady Henderson (#59, left), Cooper Cools (#71), Tyce Underwood (#11), Gage Magowan (#38), and Max Kiener (#79) block for Cohan Magnusson (ball carrier, #35).

The defense was just as impressive. Linebackers Bear Deacon and Owen Franklin each tallied five tackles, while Ike Carstensen snagged an interception. Linebacker Tyce Underwood recovered a crucial fumble, and Landon Keddy made a game-changing play by recovering a fumble after a failed pitch attempt by the Panthers’ quarterback, returning it 60 yards for a defensive touchdown. Defensive standouts included safeties Carson Breland and Oakley Veenstra, both contributing multiple tackles with Veenstra also adding an interception, and a strong defensive line effort from Max Ferguson, Brady Henderson, Austin Pierce, Caden McNamara, Maddox Babchishin, and Cole Wallace. The Grizzlies’ defense forced multiple turnovers and consistently gave the offense excellent field position throughout the game.

With this commanding win behind them, G.W. Graham now turns its focus to a tougher test against the Robert Bateman Timberwolves, a game that promises excitement and has significant playoff implications. Fans are encouraged to come out and support the Grizzlies this Thursday, October 16 at 3 PM as they travel to Abbotsford to take on the Timberwolves.