Photo Courtesy: On The Field Photography

By Ethan Ready

Kodiaks win!

Kodiaks defeat Huskers for first win in franchise history

Aug 22, 2022 | 5:40 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – Those who were in attendance Saturday night at Masich Place Stadium were witnesses of sports history in Prince George, as the Kodiaks secured their first win in franchise history, defeating the Valley Huskers 28-20 in front of a sold-out crowd.

The Kodiaks opened the scoring on the first offensive drive of the game, chipping away at the field before Prince George’s Andrew Johnson plunged forward in a short yardage play from a few yards out for a touchdown. It marked the first time the Kodiaks held a lead during their inaugural season.

Entering the game as the only team yet to force a turnover in the BC Football Conference, the Kodiaks acted quickly. On the Huskers’ first offensive drive, quarterback Josh Janssen connected with receiver Dhag Mora on a slant route. Linebacker Marcellus Pope stepped up and lowered the shoulder, popping the ball loose. Defensive lineman Corbin Brown recovered the ball for PG’s first fumble recovery of the season.

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In the second quarter, the Huskers found their way into the endzone following a passing play in the red zone, tying the game up at 7-7.

Johnson was back again, establishing the Kodiaks’ lead with another touchdown on a short-yardage play.

Aidan Saunders added a 15-yard field goal for the Huskers before the end of the first half of play. Prince George entered the locker room for halftime holding onto a 14-10 lead.

In the third quarter, the Kodiaks’ defence stepped up as their offence struggled to find points. With the Huskers in scoring distance, runningback Reece Wyke fumbled the ball on an exchange from Janssen and the Kodiaks pounced for another fumble recovery.

On the next Huskers offensive series, Saunders lined up for a 20-yard field goal attempt. The Kodiaks powered through the line and came up with a blocked kick sending the crowd at Masich Place Stadium into a frenzy.

Neither team was able to score any points in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the Huskers pieced a few plays together to get their offence past mid-field. Facing third down and two yards, their offence opted to go for it. Instead of running the ball, Janssen dropped back and eyed the sideline for receiver Payton Lake. Keon Raymond II jumped the route, picked off the Huskers’ quarterback, and trotted 70 yards for a defensive touchdown. Kodiaks adding to their lead, up 21-10 in the fourth quarter.

The Kodiaks’ offence then got rolling, riding off of the momentum and the crowd behind them, Liam Oczkowski orchestrated the offence from the quarterback position. Inside the Valley five-yard line, the Kodiaks saw an opening in the pocket, stepped up and scampered for the rushing touchdown to put Prince George ahead 28-10 late in the quarter.

Valley tried to put the Kodiaks back on their heels, scoring a field goal and touchdown in the final few minutes, but Keanu Brown silenced the visitors with a 51-yard run in the dying seconds of the game.

The Kodiaks handed the Huskers their second loss of the season and wrapped up a three-game season series with a win.

Prince George will be on the road for a clash against the undefeated Okanagan Sun on Saturday, August 27th.