It’s not often the first game of the regular season has playoff implications.

But that’s how the Lord Tweedsmuir Panthers approached last Saturday’s Senior AAA high school game against the Holy Cross Crusaders.

“Five out of six teams in our conference will make the playoffs,” said Panthers head coach Kurt Thornton. “Depending on how things go, one win might be enough to get in.”

Lord Tweedsmuir now has that win, after shutting out the Crusaders 34-0 at Holy Cross high school in a game that was the first-ever for the Panthers in the Senior AAA category.

“The kids played great,” said Thornton. “They worked hard to prepare themselves for the game, not just because it was our first in Senior AAA, but because it had playoff implications.”

After five very successful seasons in the Senior AA category, a growing student population at the Cloverdale high school forced the Panthers into the highest level of competition in high school football. Thornton and his players know the opposition will be a lot more difficult.

“We know it’s going to be tough,” he said. “I look at the league, and the top five or six teams are considerably better than everyone else. And the last half of our schedule has Centennial, STM (St. Thomas More) and (W.J.) Mouat.

“They are all provincial championship teams, or have been contending for a provincial championship, consistently over the past 10 years.”

With only five games in league play, getting a win early was a priority for Tweedsmuir. And they made the most of what they thought was a good opportunity.

Braeiden Toth caught a pass from Shane Ram for a 40-yard touchdown in the first quarter, then the Panthers added two quick scores off interceptions in the second period. Mike Munro stepped in front of a Crusaders pass and raced 25 yards to the end zone, then lineman Brandon Klein batted another throw, pulled it out of the air and ran 46 yards for the score.

The Panthers added a third defensive touchdown when Jake Town scooped up a fumble and carried it 10 yards for the major. Ram completed the scoring with a one-yard touchdown run.

“I don’t remember us ever scoring three touchdowns on defence before,” said Thornton. “I don’t think we scored three times on defence all last season.”

Spencer Huot, Evan Bramah and Zachary Yaciw led the defensive effort, each with five tackles.

Although outscored by the defence, the Lord Tweedsmuir offence performed well. Ram completed eight of 13 passes for 114 yards and a touchdown. Huot rushed the ball 16 times, totaling 130 yards.

For Holy Cross, Tyler Buchan was the top offensive performer, catching eight passes, while Ray Horahan was a standout on defence with a game-high eight tackles. Luke Ehman and Tyler Ciampelletti each had seven tackles.

- Two North Delta schools opened their Senior AA regular season schedules with convincing victories.

The Sands Scorpions travelled up the Fraser Valley last Friday afternoon to stop the Mission Roadrunners 33-2. The Scorpions, ranked fifth in the province, are on the road again Friday for a game against the Abbotsford Christian Knights.

The Seaquam Seahawks were at home Saturday afternoon, and had little trouble defeating the Langley Saints 35-13.

Buddy Hutchison rushed for three touchdowns for the Seahawks, including one on a 61-yard run, staking the home team to a 21-7 lead at half time. Greg Finley and Jason Bell added major scores in the second half.

Ethan Sadowski led the defence with seven tackles and a quarterback sack, with Matthew Gabrick also making seven tackles. Hutchison, Anthony Chang and Anthony Speranza each had interceptions, while Keane Fraser added a fumble recovery.

The Seahawks will also be in Abbotsford Friday, kicking off against the Rick Hansen Hurricanes.

- The Frank Hurt Hornets fell to 0-3 on the season, falling 48-6 to the Windsor Dukes last Friday at Frank Hurt Secondary. The Hornets travel to Nanaimo Friday, to play the 1-2 John Barsby Bulldogs.