The Vancouver College Fighting Irish continue to be inevitable. At the dome on the big stage, the Irish handled business as per usual with a 31-8 victory over the Lord Tweedsmuir Panthers in a AAA Semi Finals matchup.
The best teams are never satisfied with the status quo. Despite being unbeaten on the season, VC pulled out various new looks on both sides of the ball to keep the Panthers guessing.
The Irish pulled out some brand new motions and formations on a long opening drive that Tristan Perdido capped off with a seven-yard rushing score.
On defense, the Fighting Irish pulled out a 3-3 stack look and pressured the Panthers masterfully on passing downs. Panthers quarterback Chase Thurston, who's been on fire all playoffs long, struggled to find a rhythm with VC throwing various different looks his way.
Those different defensive looks lead to two early interceptions by the Irish defense. First, it was Noah Lowden staying disciplined in zone coverage and snatching the ball away from the Panthers. Then, on the very next drive, Lucas Gonzales baited Thurston into throwing into a tight window on the run and made him pay with a pick of his own.
Now, you might think that, being up 7-0 and getting those two interceptions deep in the Panthers' territory, the Irish would be up big early on. Well, the Panther's defense stepped up big time, forcing a punt after the first interception and then forcing a field goal attempt after the second turnover that missed; the score remained 7-0.
Avoiding early disaster, the Panthers were still in the game. After moving the ball from deep in their own end to midfield, a big fourth and seven decision awaited the Panthers. Tweedsmuir made a gutsy fake punt call that was sniffed out perfectly by the Irish two yards short of the first down marker.
With the ball back at midfield, the Irish dialed up a play to their star wideout. Quarterback Parker Orr uncorked a deep ball into the middle of the field. Nathan Lowden, who had a Panthers defender all over him, went up and over to snag the ball for a ridiculous contested catch deep into Panther's territory.
The Irish would ultimately have to settle for another field goal attempt, this one going through the uprights to give them a 10-0 lead, but it was clear momentum had shifted in VC's favor.
After the Irish defense got another stop VC had the ball back and decided it was time to pound the rock. VC's offensive line took over the game, creating holes for Perdido to run through before powering his way to extra yards after contact.
After Perdido and the offensive line had worn the Panthers down, it was time for some trickery. Running back Ryder Quintana checked into the game and sprinted outside to his right on what appeared to be a toss play. Quintana pulled up mid-sprint and threw the ball 30 yards into the corner of the endzone to a wide-open Nathan Lowden for six.
Down 17-0 at the half, the Panthers knew they were running out of time. Thurston and the Panthers offense responded emphatically on the first possession of the third quarter.
Thurston hit receiver Tristan Ford on a dart over the middle for a big gain to start the drive. A couple of plays later, Peyton Mansfield bounced off Irish defenders on his way to a physical run, resulting in the Panther's first points of the game.
After both teams traded interceptions, the Irish had the ball at the Panthers 35-yard line. It took only one play for Perdido to bounce a trap play outside, patiently following his blocks for another Irish score to put his team up 24-6.
To start the fourth quarter, the Panthers were down to their last of nine lives. With four shots from the one-yard line to cut into the Irish lead, they were stuffed by VC's defense each and every time. The Irish's defense had stepped up big time once again.
The Irish would use their thunder-and-lightning backfield duo of Perdido and Quintana the rest of the way, add another score, and bleed the clock down to zero.
With their 31-8 victory, the Fighting Irish will take on the South Delta Sun Devils with a chance to three-peat as AAA Champions. The Sun Devils gave the Irish the best run for their money earlier this season when they led 10-9 in the fourth quarter before VC's offense exploded in the final frame for a 31-10 win.
With both teams playing at the top of their game, this matchup is one you don't want to miss. Tune in next week to see if the Irish continue their dynasty or if the Sun Devils can hand VC their first loss in three seasons.
