It was an exciting start to the football season for the Vernon Secondary School Junior Panthers on Sept. 4 against Rutland Secondary School. The Panthers clawed their way past Rutland to arrive at a 31-6 finish over the Rutland Voodoo. Quarterback Braden Khunkhun was 10/20 with 207 yards passing, throwing three solid touchdowns and two interceptions, supported by 14 carries for a total of 120 yards rushing and a touchdown by running back Damon Froste. Roan Reid dominated both offensively and defensively with five receptions for 133 yards receiving and two touchdowns, topping it all off with a defensive play of seven tackles and two sacks. Rounding out the defence was Colin Charlton with six tackles and two sacks. Additional game highlights included receiver Kolby Thorpe bringing down three receptions for 30 yards and a touchdown and Special Teams Landon Janke with a 34 yard field goal and four for four on extra points.
鈥淭he boys executed well at times during the game but there鈥檚 still lots to clean up,鈥� said Coach Tim Thorpe. 鈥淟uckily it鈥檚 early in the season and the team has lots of time to improve.鈥�
Thorpe also went on to mention Reid and his monster game on both sides of the ball, acknowledging Reid鈥檚 hard work and intense improvement in the off season. Join the Junior Panthers as they push into the season with their first home game Saturday, Sept. 14 against the Kelly Road Roadrunners of Prince George at the Greater Vernon Athletics Park at Okanagan College at 12 p.m. sharp.
Following that game, the Fulton Maroons host Kelly Road senior varsity at 2:30 p.m.
READ MORE: VSS Panthers outlast Grizzlies 16-8
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