The playoffs on the BC grid change from provincial to regional format.
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It could be argued that Kelowna owls take the biggest hit in Subway Bowl high school football provinces that are switched to the regional championship due to travel limitations brought on by widespread flooding throughout BC.
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Kelowna running back Jack Nyrose doesn’t frame it that way.
In a tweet Wednesday night, Nyrose praised BC High School Football and BC School Sports “for finding a way to end our playoff run here in the Interior. Thank you all for the support and encouragement of these last days. It means a lot.”
Quarterback Joey Howorko tweeted something similar before adding: “Our prayers are for those affected by these natural disasters and from all KSS Owls players we hope they will receive help.”
With the changes in the playoffs, the Owls move from competing for the Triple-A provincial title to competing for the North / Interior championship with the Vernon Panthers Double A, Duchess Park Condors and South Kamloops Titans.
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There is now also a Triple A and Double A Coastal championship. Their semi-finals and finals will remain at BC Place Stadium.
Soccer, like all high school sports, was in practice mode only due to COVID-19 restrictions, so this will be a second year in a row without provincial championships.
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“I woke up this morning very proud,” Kelowna coach Chris Cartwright said Thursday morning of the Owl players’ tweets. “I don’t know other words to explain it. “When we met with the players on Wednesday and told them what was going to happen (with the playoffs), there was excitement. They were concerned that their season was over.
“We have tried to emphasize the players so that they are grateful for every day that we get to do this. We know what it’s like not to be there. If there is any opportunity, take advantage of it. “
Travis Bell, Chairman of the BC School Sports Soccer Advisory Committee, explained in a press release: “At a time when many families in our province are in crisis, it is necessary to put things in perspective and our hope is that the the remaining games will continue to provide an opportunity to have lifelong memories and a positive experience for our student-athletes, and the schools and communities they represent. ”
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High school football is far from the only one to revamp its setup due to travel limitations. The BCHL announced Wednesday that it would postpone eight games scheduled for this weekend. They are also adding two games, with the Surrey Eagles visiting the Coquitlam Express on Friday and the Trail Smoke Eaters visiting the Cranbrook Bucks.
Trail was supposed to be at Coquitlam on Friday, the Nanaimo Clippers on Saturday and the Powell River Kings on Sunday. Surrey was scheduled to host the Prince George Spruce Kings on Friday, and Cranbrook was scheduled to host the Chilliwack Chiefs on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the WHL postponed Friday’s away game for the Victoria Royals against the Kamloops Blazers until February 16. It was the Royals’ third straight game to be postponed after the two meetings with the Spokane Chiefs last weekend had moved because of the Chiefs. players testing positive for COVID. Spokane will now visit Victoria instead from January 11-12.
Twitter: @SteveEwen
Reference-theprovince.com