The Abbotsford Panthers junior football team continues its hunt for a provincial championship this Friday, as they face the Kelowna Owls on the road in the B.C. AAA quarter-finals.
In the new hybrid AA/AAA junior football scheme, Abby Senior was the only AA team in the province to advance to the AAA playoffs, after their 7-0 record staked them to the top position in the Eastern Conference.
The Panthers sealed their undefeated regular season by defeating G.W. Graham 35-6. Chase Claypool led the charge with three touchdowns on receptions of 57, 75 and 29 yards and a fourth on a 57-yard punt return.
Richard Tshimpaka rounded out the scoring with a 51-yard touchdown run. Quarterback John Madigan threw for 302 yards while Mike Sabourin rushed for 61 yards.
The defence continued its stingy ways by not allowing a point (Graham's touchdown was on an interception return). Tanner Marquardt and Claypool picked off Graham passes while Fred Waring and Jesse Clifford each had a pair of sacks.