The Interlake Thunder Varsity football team must really like playing on the road.
It sure looked like that on Saturday.
Interlake crushed the Falcons Football Club 46-28 in Winnipeg in Rural Manitoba Football League action.
The Thunder are now 2-0 on the season.
“It’s hard to ask for anything better than 2-0, for sure,” said Thunder head coach Christof Hasselfield. “We’re really pumped about it. But to be honest, I don’t think that 2-0 record accurately displays the improvement the guys made from Week 1 to Week 2. That was really good to see with this young team.”
After a slow start, the Thunder really picked up their game, especially with running the ball.
AJ Nadon had 10 carries for 203 yards and two touchdowns.
Thunder quarterback Ben Cook had a solid game, completing 11 of 21 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. He also had two rushing TDs
“Ben won rookie of the year last year in Grade 9,” Hasselfield said. “He’s been stepping up and has always been pretty good protecting the football. He has a good arm and he knows when to take his shots.”
Interlake receiver Jessie Batenchuk had another great game with six receptions for 183 yards and three touchdowns.
“This was the second week in a row when the defence played us with no safety and we couldn’t connect with it as much last week,” Hasselfield said. “Jesse, all year, is going to be our matchup guy.”
On defence, the Thunder tackle leaders were Jamie Dandeneau (six), Dylan MacLean (five), and Quinton Favel (five).
“For the two weeks, tackling has been great and that’s coming through,” Hasselfield said. “For the most part, we’re wrapping up and playing good team defence.”
For the second straight week, the Thunder defence was very good.
“Defensively, we were really solid. We switched up the scheme a bit and the guys answered the call,” Hasselfield said. “It was a real team victory, for sure.”
Tyler Yourchenko also played a very strong game on the defensive side of the ball.
“He’s been our swiss army knife so far depending on which type of offence we’re playing,” Hasselfield said. “Last week, he was playing outside linebacker and defensive end and we had him playing back as a second safety this week. He was making plays all over the field again.”
Interlake will continue on the road with a game against the Dauphin Clippers (0-2) on Friday. Kickoff is 5 p.m.
The matchup will be highlighted as the high school game of the week in Manitoba, supported by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
“It’s a big honour and we’re excited about that,” Hasselfield said. “Going back to Dauphin, it’s going to be intense. We knocked them out in the playoffs last year in the semifinals as an underdog to get us to the final. I don’t doubt that there is any love lost there and it’s going to be a big game – it’s our final road game of the regular season.
“We have a chance to go 3-0 on the road which would be huge to come home for a three-game home stretch with no losses on the record. I think that would be just an absolute victory all around for the team, especially with them being so young and developing the way we are.”
The Thunder’s home opener is Sept. 29 when they host the Souris Sabres at Stonewall Collegiate. Game time is 4 p.m.
Tribune photos by Lana Meier
