VSS Panthers celebrate provincial championship at BC Place Dec. 2 (Image BCSS YouTube)

By Kevin Rothwell

One point victory

B.C. football championship for VSS Panthers after nail biter at BC Place

Dec 2, 2023 | 9:40 PM

In an unforgettable day for the Vernon Panthers, the school’s football program achieved a rare and remarkable feat as both the Junior Varsity (JV) and Senior Varsity teams secured provincial championships.

The senior varsity Panthers capped off the day with a nail-biting 23-22 victory over the John Barsby Bulldogs from Nanaimo, claiming their third senior provincial title in the last five seasons.

The senior team’s journey to the championship culminated in a tense showdown that mirrored the drama of a Hollywood script. The Panthers held a nine-point lead for much of the game, only to see the Bulldogs narrow the gap to a single point with just 2:20 left on the clock. What followed was a crucial onside kick attempt, secured by provincial MVP Mark Johnson, setting the stage for a heart-stopping final drive.

Mark Johnson of VSS named most outstanding lineman in senior varsity provincial final. (submitted photo/Rhonda Crooks Hove)

With 1:21 remaining and facing a critical 4th and inches on the Barsby 40-yard line, head coach Sean Smith made a bold decision. Rather than opting for a punt that would give the Bulldogs another chance, the Panthers gambled and went for the first down. Finals MVP Jonah Lee delivered, gaining three crucial yards and allowing the Panthers to run out the clock.

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“I had full confidence that my guys would get the first down,” Coach Smith said, praising the provincial MVP right tackle and provincial all-star running back. “There was no way they weren’t going to get the half yard we needed.”

The game’s narrative unfolded after a scoreless first quarter, with the Panthers orchestrating a 95-yard second-quarter drive that consumed nearly seven minutes. Despite Barsby briefly taking their only lead of the game with less than a minute remaining, a 68 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Cole Budgen to receiver Anderson Bicknell (on the ensuing play) swung the momentum back in favor of the Panthers.

The pivotal third quarter saw the Panthers execute a meticulous 6-minute, 15-second drive, with Jonah Lee capping it off with his second rushing touchdown of the night. The Panthers secured a nine point (two score) lead, ultimately proving insurmountable for the Bulldogs.

Defensively, the Panthers limited Barsby’s potent power-run game that outscored their opponents by over 200 points on the season. Linebacker Jeff Curtis (9 tackles) and Mark Johnson (5 tackles, 1 qb sack + 1 forced fumble) played pivotal roles, contributing key tackles and a forced fumble.

“Our coaches did a great job putting in and executing our defensive game plan. We limited them to 3 scores and got two fumble recoveries and a key fourth down stop, which was all we could ask of them,” Coach Smith said.

Provincial all-star quarterback Cole Budgen showcased efficiency, completing 10 of 18 passes for 229 yards and a touchdown. Receiver Anderson Bicknell stood out with two receptions for 101 yards and a crucial touchdown while Tristan McKenzie led the team with 4 receptions for 63 yards.

“Cole was definitely our on field general and I put a lot on his plate to identify their fronts and to make audibles,” said Smith. “The good news is that he’s only in grade 11, so I have him for another run in 2024.”

“This was a total team win,” Smith remarked, emphasizing the collective effort that defined the victory. “I’m so proud of how focused and resilient my guys were in a tense environment against a very physical opponent that had bullied their previous opponents. ‘I’M IN’ is our program mantra and everyone in our organization from coaches, players, manager, trainer and photographer were IN from day one. I’m so happy they were able to experience winning a championship because they were champions all season long. For our program, it’s hard to believe that we have now won five provincial championships in the last five seasons (in 2020 and 2021 there was no provincial championship due to Covid restrictions and flooding in the Fraser Valley),” Smith said.

The championship marks the third at the senior varsity level for the Panthers, adding to their titles in 2018 and 2019. At the junior varsity level, the Panthers previously won in 2017 and narrowly lost on the last play of the game in 2022. 

Trophy presentation to VSS (YouTube image)

It was a good day for the VSS program as the Junior Varsity (JV) team also won the provincial JV title.