The Meadowridge Knights football association tuned up for the upcoming Valley Community Football League season at their annual Knights of the Round Table pre-season tournament at the Albion fields last weekend.

The local football association is fielding eight teams this season in the VCFL, as well as their own flag football league and cheerleading crews.

The tournament began Saturday morning with a U-7 flag football competition with kids from New Westminster, Abbotsford and Maple Ridge. For many, it was the first time they had participated in any team sport.

“Our objective is to teach the kids a little bit about football,” said George Clarke, President of the Meadowridge Knights Football Club. “But more importantly, it’s about the kids having fun and they certainly did that.”

The Knights gold team finished third in the Atom Division with a win, a tie and two losses. The team played well, considering this was their first competitive action of the year. Tato Ferreryo Araya, Keilesh Kumar and Tyler Spencer in particular made some outstanding plays.

In the Peewee Division, the Knights teams placed second and third, behind first-place Abbotsford. The defense for the peewee gold team proved that they will be a power to be reckoned with when the regular season starts. Rush end Brandon Shanley, corner Justin Fedorak, and halfbacks Jaden Shanley and Ethan Chung were outstanding. The offense is also starting to come together as Mackenie Baust, William Clayton, Jeremie Kankalongo, Dylan Macintosh and Austin Daunais put out a great effort.

In the Junior Bantam Division, the Knights gold team finished second.

A number of players on the Knights’ bantam squad started in new positions for the first time this season and didn’t look out of place. Paul Cavalli, making his first start at defensive end, seemed to get into the opposition backfield at will while middle linebacker Gunnar Stein, playing his first ever game of competitive football, made several key stops. Elias Eskander, starting his first game at quarterback, looked right at home, completing several long passes to wideout Anthony Gagnon.

The Knights regular season kicks off Labour Day Weekend. All home games this season will be at the all-weather field at Samuel Robertson secondary.

For more information on the Knights, visit www.meadowridgeknights.bccfa.org/