November 18, 2019. Victoria, BC (ISN) - - Erich Eichhorn (www.allsportmedia.ca)

November 18, 2019 (ISN) – The Victoria Midget Spartans football team advanced to the BCCFA 9-man provincial finals with a thrilling 35-29 overtime win against the North Surrey Bears Sunday afternoon at Westhills Stadium.

November 18, 2019. Victoria, BC (ISN) - - Erich Eichhorn (www.allsportmedia.ca)
November 18, 2019. Victoria, BC (ISN) – Defense was key for both teams as Bear’s Callum Middleton is stopped from carrying the ball up field – Erich Eichhorn (www.allsportmedia.ca)

The undefeated Bears came in to Westhills Stadium looking to protect their record against the 6-1-1 Spartans and punch their own ticket to the championship, but it would be a resilient Spartans team that would rise to the occasion with a blocked Bears winning field goal attempt   run back by Bronson Pfieffer for the game ending touchdown in OT to seal the win for the Victoria football team.

November 18, 2019. Victoria, BC (ISN) - - Erich Eichhorn (www.allsportmedia.ca)
November 18, 2019. Victoria, BC (ISN) – Bronson Pfieffer shown here on special teams would score the winning TD for the Spartans after a Jaxxon Roorda field goal block.- Erich Eichhorn (www.allsportmedia.ca)

Starting quarterback Kalen Jules would lead the way for the Victoria Spartans, with two rushing touchdowns, including one in overtime to force North Surrey’s hand.

The Bears would show spark early, controlling field play on both sides of the ball. Starting Bears QB Isaiah Anderson would march his team into scoring territory early, handing the ball to RB Kevin Hurtado to put on the ground for the first score of the game 7-0. A Spartans touchback would see the Bears lead 7-2 to end the first quarter of play as both teams flexed defensive muscle to keep the score close.

November 18, 2019. Victoria, BC (ISN) - - Erich Eichhorn (www.allsportmedia.ca)
November 18, 2019. Victoria, BC (ISN) – Bear’s Isaiah Anderson get the ball away feeling the pressure from Spartan’s Josh DeCouto- Erich Eichhorn (www.allsportmedia.ca)

The Bears would extend their lead mid-way through the second quarter when Anderson would fire the ball on as rope to an open receiver Matthew Lalim, slashing into the end zone to catch the ball mid-stride, giving his team a 15-2 lead.

November 18, 2019. Victoria, BC (ISN) - - Erich Eichhorn (www.allsportmedia.ca)
November 18, 2019. Victoria, BC (ISN) – Bear’s receiver Matthew Lalim acknowledges his quarterback’s throw after his TD reception – Erich Eichhorn (www.allsportmedia.ca)

Spartans QB Jules, having limited success through the air, would resort to the ground attack. Forced frequently into a scramble with the ball under the pressure of the Bears defense, Jules would find field advantage stretching his legs to keep North Surrey’s defense honest with QB keepers. Victoria would hit the scoreboard with four minutes remaining when Jules would throw to Jalen Cung. Cung would take the successful reception twenty yards for the major to narrow the scoring gap 15-8 at the half.

The Spartans would start the third quarter with a determined offensive push.  Marching his team down field, Jules would finish the drive himself, taking the ball himself from four yards out to pull even with the Bears 15-15.

November 18, 2019. Victoria, BC (ISN) - - Erich Eichhorn (www.allsportmedia.ca)
November 18, 2019. Victoria, BC (ISN) – QB Jules was instrumental in extending the Spartan’s field with his running ability – Erich Eichhorn (www.allsportmedia.ca)

The Bears would take advantage of some undisciplined Spartans play, putting the North Surrey on their own goal line, still in the third quarter of play. Bear’s QB Anderson would take his own QB keeper to the house from close range to put his team up once again 22-15.

November 18, 2019. Victoria, BC (ISN) - - Erich Eichhorn (www.allsportmedia.ca)
November 18, 2019. Victoria, BC (ISN) – Bears QB Isaiah Anderson would use his legs to keep the defence honest – Erich Eichhorn (www.allsportmedia.ca)

Perhaps feeling momentum swinging their way after turning aside a Spartan’s threat from four yard out to take possession of the ball, QB Anderson would look deep only to have the ball intercepted by a wary Spartan secondary.  That turnover would lead to Jules taking his team from their own forty-yard line into Bears territory. Throwing from twenty-five yards out, Jules would find receiver Carter Price in the end zone for the touchdown and a 22-22 tie.

November 18, 2019. Victoria, BC (ISN) - - Erich Eichhorn (www.allsportmedia.ca)
November 18, 2019. Victoria, BC (ISN) – QB Kalen Jules feels the Bear’s pressure – Erich Eichhorn (www.allsportmedia.ca)

Teams would exchange possessions late in the game as defensive squads on both sides of the ball would turn aside any attempt to gain field advantage, forcing overtime.

November 18, 2019. Victoria, BC (ISN) - - Erich Eichhorn (www.allsportmedia.ca)
November 18, 2019. Victoria, BC (ISN) – – Erich Eichhorn (www.allsportmedia.ca)

In overtime, after both sides would score touchdowns to leave the game’s victor undecided, the Bears would end up in prime territory to score a winning field goal, but an amazing defensive effort on the ball by Jaxxon Roorda, blocking the kick, would be picked up by Spartan’s Bronson Pfieffer and run three quarter length the field to score the winning touchdown, giving his Spartan’s  the 35-29 victory to advance to the provincial finals held in Langley December 1st, at McLeod Stadium.