Vernon Panthers Dominate Pleasant Valley Hawks in 26-0 Victory

The Vernon Panthers secured a commanding **26-0** victory over the Pleasant Valley Hawks during their opening game of the **2025 Thompson Okanagan AA regular season** on **September 17** at **Greater Vernon Athletic Park**. Rookie quarterback **Kyle Fitzpatrick** stepped in for the injured starter **Troy Langer**, leading the Panthers with impressive performance.

Fitzpatrick’s leadership on the field was crucial as the Panthers showcased their strength against the newly formed Hawks. The standout players for Vernon included **Hunter Shalaby** and **Bennett Friesen**, each contributing two touchdowns to the scoreline. Their combined efforts highlighted the depth of talent on the Panthers’ roster, allowing the team to field several rookies throughout the match.

In contrast, Pleasant Valley’s head coach **Devin Rodger** praised his team’s resilience, particularly highlighting the performance of quarterback **Damian McCormack**. “He made some really nice passes and used his feet to get us first downs when needed,” Rodger noted. The Hawks faced a challenging start to their season but remain optimistic about improving their fundamental skills during the upcoming bye week.

Close Contest in Opening Game

The Panthers’ victory capped off a double-header event that showcased local talent. Earlier in the evening, the **Seaton/Kalamalka Sonics** narrowly defeated the **Fulton Maroons** with a score of **7-6**. The Maroons initially took the lead with a touchdown from running back **Lachlan Peterson**, who carried the ball **15 times for 157 yards**. However, they failed to convert the subsequent two-point attempt.

In a thrilling finish, **Ty Johannson** scored the Sonics’ touchdown on a **66-yard run**, and **Jonah Marion** successfully kicked the extra point, sealing the win with just over a minute remaining. Sonics head coach **Chris Terleski** expressed pride in his team’s defensive efforts, stating, “Our defence came up with a big stop and sealed the win for us.”

The match showcased notable individual performances, including quarterback **Ladainion Banks** for Fulton, who completed **8 of 14 passes for 61 yards**. On defence, the Maroons were led by **Logan Keetley** and **Theri Avrimidis**, each recording seven tackles, with **Ronan Spencer** contributing five tackles and a quarterback sack.

Upcoming Matches and Future Challenges

Looking ahead, the Maroons will host the Panthers in a much-anticipated match-up dubbed the **Battle of Vernon Schools** on **September 24** at **19:00** at Greater Vernon Athletic Park. Meanwhile, all three local teams—Panthers, Sonics, and Hawks—will prepare to face the **Salmon Arm Golds** in their next home games.

The schedule is as follows: Seaton will host the Golds on **October 1**, VSS will take them on on **October 15**, and the Hawks will entertain Salmon Arm on **October 22**. All upcoming games are set to kick off at **17:00** at the same venue.

As the season unfolds, teams will look to build on their performances, striving for improvement and aiming for success in the competitive landscape of high school football.