Jugglers run no match for Hyacks

In the battle of the backs, the New Westminster Hyacks came out in front.

The number one ranked Hyacks beat the fifth-ranked Notre Dame Jugglers 42-27 at rain-swept Mercer Stadium on Friday in a showdown between New Westminster’s beast of the backfield, Vivie Bojilov, and Notre Dame’s Stephen Spagnuolo, the top running back in the province.

For the most part, the battle was over before it really even began. Bojilov scored on the Hyacks’ first offensive play of the game, an 83 yard romp to the end zone. It was his first of four touchdowns in the game, tying a school record. He rushed for 255 total yards on 17 carries.

“Vivie was a horse,” said Hyacks coach Farhan Lalji. “He really rose to the occasion and made big plays when we needed him to.”

That might be the understatement of the season. After a slow start and then missing a game due to injury, Bojilov has proceeded to burn through the Hyacks’ record book. He’s set new standards for rushing in a single game (301), longest touchdown from scrimmage (99 yards) and, of course, Friday’s record-tying performance.

“In his previous two games he had big rushing days but he barely broke a sweat,” said Lalji of Bojilov. “Tonight he broke a ton of tackles and showed that he is as good as any back in BC.”

Bojilov was also instrumental in neutralizing his rival, Spagnuolo, who ran the ball 22 times for 160 yards and three touchdowns, well below his per-game average of 276.3 yards. And most of that damage didn’t come until the Hyacks, who led 21-0 late in the second quarter, already had the game well in hand.

“(Bojilov) was a monster on defense,” said Lalji of his two-way titan who contributed 14 tackles.

In fact, the whole Hyacks’ defense played as if on a mission; stop Spagnuolo.

They denied the Jugglers’ first three offensives drives of the game and held their running game to just two rushing first downs in the first half. They also stood tall in a goal line stand early in the second quarter, preserving their 13-0 lead at the time.

“Our defensive line was outstanding all night,” said Lalji. “They dominated up front, constantly re-establishing the line of scrimmage and they never allowed Spagnuolo to get into a rhythm.”

Casey Chin also had a strong game, with 11 tackles.

The Hyacks’ defense faces another test on Saturday, when they play the fourth-ranked Vancouver College Fighting Irish at the new O’Hagan Field. The Irish, who’ve only lost once this season, will be eager to prove they’re worthy contenders to top billing after coming off a narrow 10-7 victory over winless Carson Graham.

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