First victory gives Boyd momentum

Nothing feels better than a victory. Just ask the Hugh Boyd Trojans.

Despite three competitive performances, the senior varsity football team had nothing to show for its effort, heading into its final exhibition game against the highly regarded South Delta Sun Devils. This time, the Trojans not only hung tough with the Tsawwassen school, but rallied in the second half for a 17-12 upset win.

The result produced plenty of smiles and even a sigh of relief as the Trojans prepare this week to open conference play on the road against the Holy Cross Crusaders.

"You can keep telling them they're working hard and getting better but until they actually can say (they won) it's a tough haul," said Boyd head coach Bill Haddow.

"I said to (assistant) coach (Sean) Graham in the fourth quarter, 'It would be a huge confidence booster if we can win this game but to lose it would be devastating. We had just found ways to lose games until now."

For the Trojans to earn a favourable seed for the provincial playoffs, they will need plenty of mileage out of a few players thanks to a small roster.

Among them is quarterback Tiernan Docherty whose athleticism provides Boyd with a diversified attack. He ran for 116 yards and two touchdowns on just 14 carries against South Delta.

"We expect that from him because we see it in practice every week," continued Haddow. "We just added the option (scheme) last week and he will only get more comfortable running it."

The Trojans' other running threat is tailback Travis Coutts who ran for 159 yards. The defence is led by linebacker David Poon and it was his fumble recovery that helped seal the team's first win.

Boyd is also fielding junior and Grade 8 teams this year but it's been a challenge of late to fill out the depth chart despite being the only school in the city to offer football.

"We expected more kids to be coming over from other schools (to play football) but it's not happening right now," added Haddow. "We might have got a little comfortable with the success we have had in the past and will need to work a little harder. We plan on doing that."

With three straight games on the road, the Trojans won't play at home again until Oct. 28 against Seaquam.

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