Tiernan Docherty and the Langley Rams put the boots to the Kamloops Broncos Saturday night at McLeod Stadium.
Docherty booted his second 50-yard field goal in as many games as the junior Rams cruised to a 51-7 victory over the Broncos in their B.C. Football Conference home opener, which was also Joe Connelly night.
The win improved the Rams’ record to 2-1 while the Broncos remain winless at 0-3.
Langley took a 20-7 lead into halftime and poured it on in the second half, outscoring the visitors 17-0 in the third quarter and 14-0 during the final stanza.
Rams head coach Khari Joseph said his team’s impressive showing in the second half was all about persistence.
“I think the guys understood that they were playing a little undisciplined in the first half,” Joseph said. “That’s what I love about this group of guys: they took the information [coaches gave them at halftime] and applied it. They came out during the second half with a renewed focus on execution.”
Stephen Legare and Colby Peters shared the quarterbacking duties for the Rams and finished with almost identical numbers,
Peters completed nine of his 13 pass attempts for 117 yards and two touchdowns while Legare was eight of 12 for 111 yards and one touchdown.
Seye Akinsanmi led all receivers with five catches for 100 yards and a pair of touchdowns, one from each quarterback, while Tyrel Ogloff caught a nine-yard touchdown pass from Peters.
The Rams got rushing touchdowns from Jordan Fox, Nick Agnoletto and Albert Opoku.
The balance of the Rams’ scoring came off of the foot of Docherty, who accounted for 16 points on three field goals and six converts.
Joseph said Docherty and the Rams’ special teams are a key part of the team’s success.
It’s absolutely crucial,” Joseph said, about the Rams’ kicking and special teams. “It’s third of the game. “He [Docherty] is a special player. We’re happy that we’ve got him.”
The Rams’ defence was outstanding, limiting the Broncos to just 10 first downs and 130 yards offence.
Jahmensky Lubin, Nick Westad and Adam Marchetti led the way defensively for the Rams with a sack apiece.
Langley is in a three-way tie for second in the BCFC with the Westshore Rebels and Vancouver Island Raiders, who also own 2-1 records.
The undefeated Okanagan Sun sit alone on top of the standings with a 3-0 mark.
While the Broncos have limped out to a winless start of the season, the Rams go into each game with the same mindset, regardless of who they are playing, Joseph said.
“My message to the guys is, it’s not about wins and losses but how we play the game. It doesn’t matter who our competition is, we have to take care of our business. If everybody does their job, it will help us down the line. We’re still developing. Anytime you are out there, going to battle, you learn things about yourself that will help sculpt who your are, later on.”
The Rams host the 0-3 Valley Huskers Saturday at McLeod Stadium. Kickoff is 7 p.m.
– Files from Chris Swartz, Rams media
