Image: Joanne Hewitt, used with permission via Ian Parks / GW Graham running back Yapo Conteh had a monster game Friday at home, rushing for 102 yards on five carries and two touchdowns, as the Grizzlies senior varsity blanked Belmont Secondary (Langford) 51-0 at Exhibition Stadium. 
GW Graham Grizzlies

GW Graham rolls to 51-0 win in season opener against Belmont Friday in Chilliwack

Sep 5, 2023 | 12:29 PM

CHILLIWACK — Coaching debuts don’t get any better than the one newly installed head coach Ryk Piche had this past Friday.

GW Graham’s senior varsity football team dominated all facets of the game behind two rushing touchdowns from RB Yapo Conteh and two passing touchdowns from QB Aiden Hewitt, as the Grizzlies rolled to a 51-0 season-opening win over Belmont Secondary of Langford Friday afternoon (Sept. 1) at Exhibition Stadium in Chilliwack.

The Grizzlies (1-0) clicked on all fronts. Wide receiver Carter Dallas hauled in a pair of receptions for touchdowns, and running back Grady Andrea and QB Nate Kushnir each had touchdown runs. On special teams, Aidin Zamani had a kickoff return for a touchdown, and placekickers Josh Seo (1 FG, 4/5 point-after-attempt) and Riley Ashley (2/2 PAT) were equally impressive.

“I am extremely proud of this group of young men,” Piche said. “It is going to be a great season, and starting off on the right note was important for us.”

The junior varsity picked up a season-opening win as well Friday with a 36-22 victory over Belmont. Quarterback Rylan Parks was 8-for-8 passing for 151 yards and two touchdowns and a pair of two-point conversions.

Image: Amber Newberry, used with permission / GW Graham JV quarterback Rylan Parks being gets a lift by Denver Adam and Ridley Mastin. Rylan Parks was 8-for-8 passing for 151 yards and two touchdowns during Friday’s 36-22 JV win over Belmont.

QB Lincoln Boyd followed suit with 12-of-15 passing for 109 yards and a pair of two-point conversions. Running back Denver Adam scored a touchdown apiece on the ground and on the receiving end, amassing four total receptions. Running back Tucker Jordan had a touchdown run for the JV Grizzlies.

On defence, safety Camden Kerr registered a 25-yard interception return and two tackles. Fellow defensive back Noah Spaner, a cornerback, had an interception and two knockdowns. On defence, linebacker Denver Adam made a name for himself with a 70-yard pick-6. Lineback Grayson Mouritzen had a forced fumble and a fumble recovery, while defensive end Evan Tiessen had two hurries. Fellow D-line member Liam Sterling had a sack and a touchdown-saving tackle. Linebacker Ridley Mastin pitched in with a sack and two tackles.

JV head coach Matt Greenfield said after the game, “We have a great group of returning players, and an exciting group of new ones as well. We look forward to bonding as a team, and working together on the field this year.”

GW Graham travels south of the 49th parallel this Friday with a visit to Washington state to take on the Prairie Falcons.