The Lord Tweedsmuir Panthers defeated the visiting Seaquam Seahawks 34-13 under the lights Sept. 29.
It was the school’s second annual night game, held on the school grounds, and had perhaps the biggest crowd ever assembled for a high school sporting game in Cloverdale.
Head coach Nick Kawaza called the Friday Night Lights game an “unbelievable atmosphere” and said the ambience, combined with the massive crowd, helped propel his squad to victory.
The lights “made it an event which these players and many spectators will remember for the rest of their lives,” noted Lord Tweedsmuir teacher Walter van Halst. “Since Tweedsmuir does not have a floodlit playing surface, eight portable lights, operated by volunteers, and generators created the ambiance.”
Van Halst estimates more than 1,000 spectators—including students, parents, alumni, and their family members—attended the game.
“It was a true celebration of the sport, school, and community,” said van Halst. “The game itself had a great result, as Tweedsmuir upset the sixth-ranked Seahawks to open their regular season.”
He added the atmosphere was exhilarating and everyone was there to celebrate the game. He said there were a lot of kids and many spent the entire game playing their own football games behind each of the fields’ endzones.
“There was a spectacular half-time LT Dance Team performance, all rocking to the beat supplied by the father-son DJ team of Randy and Canyon Lebedow.”
On the field, tailback Jaxson Allan led the way, running for 287 yards on only 15 carries and averaging just over 19 yards per run every time he touched the ball.
“Allan had two rushing touchdowns and one reception for another 20 yards to eclipse the 300 mark for all-purpose yardage,” added van Halst. “Allan also had seven tackles on defence, two sacks, and a forced fumble.”
Allan is “clearly a special athlete who only comes along every so often,” Kawaza said. Allan had a “simply brilliant game on both sides of the ball.”
Kawaza said he was proud of the overall team effort and the toughness shown along both the O and D lines.
Assistant coach Bob Swing thanked Tweedy alumni for helping to make the night showcase possible.
“The unbelievable support of the alumni, school and community was definitely the highlight of my time coaching at Tweedsmuir,” he said.
Michael Carter, an assistant coach and an LT alumnus, praised two other Panthers for their key contributions during the win over North Delta’s Seaquam.
He said Eddie Aimiose, who plays both linebacker and fullback, had a standout game as he recorded 10 tackles, had a key sack, and also punched in two touchdowns on the ground.
Carter added senior receiver and defensive back Tyson Galye made an impact on both sides of the ball as he made two catches for 44 yards and scored a touchdown on offense, while adding four tackles and one interception on defense.
“This was a night our players will remember forever,” Carter said. “This was a night we can build on for many years to come.”
