Panthers Triumph Over Fighting Irish to Reach Provincial Final

The Lord Tweedsmuir Panthers secured a thrilling 28-23 victory against the Vancouver College Fighting Irish on November 23, 2024, earning a spot in the provincial championship for B.C. high school senior AAA football. This win marks the second time this season that the Panthers have triumphed over the Fighting Irish, having previously defeated them 23-10 in their opening game.

Head coach Michael Carter expressed his delight at the outcome, stating, “We’re extremely happy to walk out of B.C. Place with a win. All credit to VC, who had a great game plan and executed all night.” Carter noted that his team was eager to face Vancouver College again after their previous semi-final loss to the Fighting Irish in 2023, where they fell 31-8.

With the championship game on the horizon, the Panthers are set to clash with the top-ranked W.J. Mouat Hawks on November 30, 2024, at B.C. Place. Kick-off is scheduled for 18:00. This upcoming match will be a rematch of an earlier exhibition game in which the Panthers lost 41-33.

Carter acknowledged the challenges posed by Mouat, remarking, “Mouat presents some major challenges. We’ll have to be at our absolute best.” The Panthers will aim to harness their recent momentum as they prepare to take on their formidable opponents.

The playoff semifinal against the Fighting Irish was a tightly contested affair, showcasing both teams’ determination. The game remained competitive until the final moments when Panthers running back Jerin Harinen sealed the victory with crucial first downs on the final drive. Harinen had an outstanding performance, recording 37 rushes for 219 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Chase Thurston contributed significantly as well, completing 7 of 14 passes for 80 yards and one touchdown.

The game began with Vancouver College quickly taking the lead, scoring a touchdown to go up 7-0. The Panthers responded adeptly, with Thurston scrambling 29 yards for a touchdown, leveling the score at 7-7. As the first half progressed, the Fighting Irish regained the lead with a five-yard touchdown pass, heading into halftime with a 14-7 advantage.

The second half saw the Panthers come out strong. Thurston capped a 12-play opening drive with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Logan Wager, tying the game once more. Shortly after, a fumble by Vancouver College on their own 18-yard line allowed the Panthers to capitalize, with Harinen rushing in for another touchdown, putting them ahead 21-14.

Vancouver College responded by adding a field goal, narrowing the gap to 21-17. However, the Panthers quickly regained momentum, with Harinen scoring again on a nine-yard rush, extending their lead to 28-17. The Fighting Irish fought back with a 30-yard touchdown pass but failed to convert the subsequent two-point attempt, leaving the score at 28-23.

In the closing minutes, Vancouver College forced the Panthers to punt, but the Panthers’ defense stepped up, halting the Fighting Irish’s progress and forcing a turnover on downs. Carter highlighted the significance of the final drive, where Harinen executed crucial rushes of 5, 18, 14, and another 5 yards before the team entered “victory formation.”

With this win, the Panthers, ranked second, are now poised to challenge the first-ranked W.J. Mouat Hawks in what promises to be an exhilarating provincial championship game.