Image: Evan Tiessen / With four starters out due to injuries, G.W. Graham running back Ridley Mastin carried the weight of the Grizzlies on his shoulders with two rushing touchdowns and an interception return for a touchdown in Friday's 18-13 home win over No. 4-ranked Rutland on Senior Night. 

By Mike Vanden Bosch

G.W. Graham Football

Amid multiple injuries to starters, Ridley Mastin powers Graham to 18-13 Senior Night win

Oct 29, 2024 | 9:47 AM

CHILLIWACK — No. 4-ranked Rutland of Kelowna entered Friday’s matchup against G.W. Graham coming off a tough loss to W.J. Mouat last week and were looking to get back to their winning ways.

But the Grizzlies themselves had a lot to prove on Senior Night in front of their home fans. Despite having four starters out with injuries, Ridley Mastin stepped up in a big way with two rushing touchdowns and an interception return for a score as Graham held off Rutland 18-13 at Exhibition Field (Stadium) in Chilliwack.

“That was a gutsy win,” said G.W. Graham varsity head coach Mike Hayes. “Proud of how these guys played for each other, especially on senior night and dealing with all the injuries. This team is really starting to believe.”

In addition to Mastin’s heroics, Grizzlies defender Ian Simpson stopped a quarterback sneak from Rutland by stuffing the A-gap on the last play of the first half, proving to be critical in such a close game.

The Grizzlies’ defence held its own in the second half led by an outstanding performance from middle linebacker Khayman Alex, who had 12 tackles, many in clutch situations. Key pass breakups by Isreal Muteba and Lincoln Glenn in the fourth quarter helped seal the win.

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Image: Evan Tiessen / G.W. Graham middle linebacker Khayman Alex takes down a Rutland defender during Friday’s 18-13 win at Exhibition Field in Chilliwack. Alex had 12 tackles to spearhead the defence.