Sam Davenport set the tone early, and the Robert Bateman Timberwolves never looked back in a 49-0 dismantling of the Holy Cross Crusaders during the B.C. high school football semifinal at B.C. Place on Saturday.
Davenport’s array of talents on offence, defence and special teams was on full display, with the Grade 12 student scoring four touchdowns - two on offence, one on defence and returning one on the opening play kick-off.
The win advances the Timberwolves to the AA provincial final for the first time in school history. Davenport said the win proves the Wolves have arrived.
“It means good things,” he said, following the victory. “We can do anything now and we’ve proven that. We went from a 1-7 season last year to this.”
Bateman controlled the play from the opening snap, building to a 14-0 lead after one quarter thanks to a rushing touchdown by Andres Guzman. Davenport added his second touchdown midway through the second quarter after catching a pass from quarterback Logan McDonald after helping Bateman get the ball by catching an interception on defence.
Phoenix Moller added a pair of late touchdowns in the second quarter to put Bateman up 35-0 at the half.
The third quarter was highlight by a picture perfect 45-yard launch from McDonald to Davenport.
Davenport then caught a pick-six in the fourth quarter to make it 49-0. He credited the Timberwolves coaching staff for making sure the team was ready for the Crusaders.
“The coaches prepared us all week and we were ready,” he said. “We wanted to play in the finals.”
Davenport also said his teammates are a huge part in his success.
“I was just the one scoring the points,” he said, with a grin. “The line makes it all possible and Logan always seems to find me.”
Bateman head coach David Mills said Davenport should give himself a little more credit.
“He seems to just have a knack for being in the right spot at the right time,” he said.
Mills said the win is huge for the program and the school. Bateman has never won a senior provincial sports title.
“It shows how focused and prepared the boys are and how much they’ve improved since the start of the year. We have good coaching but it’s also their ability to be coached, take it, understand it and then apply it.”
The Timberwolves return to B.C. Place for the AA provincial final on Dec. 1. They will take on the winner of today’s other semifinal which features the Vernon Panthers against the John Barsby Bulldogs.
Read Wednesday’s print edition of the Abbotsford News for more.
