The perfect end to a perfect season.
The Vernon Panthers paid the Pipers of Argyle Secondary in North Vancouver a lesson in high school football Sunday, Nov. 30, at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver.
With family, friends, and alumni cheering on in the stands or screening the game online, the Cats delivered a commanding 41-0 shutout of the Pipers to capture their fourth B.C. High School Senior Varsity AA provincial football championship.
This victory adds to an already impressive resume that includes titles in 2018, 2019 and 2023.
After a heartbreaking last-minute 17-14 loss to north Vancouver’s Windsor Dukes in last year’s final — denying Vernon a coveted three-peat — the Panthers returned with a vengeance.
They have now appeared in the championship game six times in the past nine seasons, a testament to the program’s consistency and dominance.
“I’m so proud of what this group accomplished,” said Panthers head coach Sean Smith. “They responded to every challenge and handled everything we threw at them. We knew Panther Nation was behind us with so many supporters in the stadium and watching online.”
It was Argyle’s first appearance in the title game.
A Tale of Two Quarters
The game opened as a defensive slugfest, with both teams locked at 0-0 after the first quarter. But the second quarter belonged entirely to Vernon.
The Panthers erupted for 27 unanswered points, turning a tense contest into a rout.
Quarterback Ayden McDonald, the AA Player of the Year, sparked the scoring with a 29-yard touchdown run on the first drive of the second quarter, giving Vernon a 6-0 lead (extra point missed). Moments later, Grade 10 standout Hunter Shalaby delivered the turning point: a pick-six on a screen pass. McDonald then connected with Ayden Stringer for the two-point conversion, stretching the lead to 14-0.
McDonald was just getting warmed up.
On the next possession, he broke free for a 65-yard touchdown run, electrifying the Panthers’ sideline. With two minutes left in the half, Grade 10 tailback Bennett Friesen capped a dominant stretch with a three-yard score, sending Vernon into halftime up 27-0.
Second-Half Control
The Panthers leaned on their ground game to chew time off the clock in the second half.
Owen West, the game’s top back, added a 36-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter. McDonald fittingly closed the scoring with an 11-yard dash in the fourth.
Vernon’s rushing attack was unstoppable, piling up 345 yards on 29 carries for an eye-popping 11.9 yards per carry. McDonald led the charge with 195 yards on 11 carries and three touchdowns, earning Game MVP honors. He also contributed defensively with two interceptions.
Defensive Master Class
While the offence stole headlines, the Panthers’ defence was equally dominant.
Argyle never reached the red zone and threw four interceptions, including Shalaby’s pivotal pick-six. Defensive end Blake Bell, returning from an elbow injury, earned Top Lineman honors for his relentless pressure.
Provincial all-star Josh Vandenberg anchored the defence with a monster performance: seven tackles, three sacks, and four tackles for loss, including a sack on the game’s first play.
“Josh set the tone right away,” said Smith.“Our defence was outstanding all game. Coach (Connor) Rothwell and our defensive staff (Mason Bal, Jesse Kunicky, and Josh Tonge) had them prepared for everything Argyle threw at us. The interception by Shalaby was a combination of great film study and perfect execution — it turned out to be the play of the game.”
Smith also praised his offensive line for handling Argyle’s aggressive blitz packages.
“In a tough environment, they made the right calls and adjustments,” he said. “Our O-line coach, (former Canadian Football League star) Angus Reid, was instrumental in preparing them.”
A Legacy of Excellence
With this victory, the Panthers continue to build one of the most successful programs in B.C. high school football history.
They went 11-0 in 2025 – two pre-season wins over AAA opponents, 6-0 regular season record, 3-0 in the post-season – outscoring their opponents 287-47 in the final nine games.
And the future looks just as bright, with young stars like the Shalabys (brothers Liam and Hunter), Vandenberg, and Friesen already making an impact.
“We will celebrate what we were able to accomplish this season and then will get back to doing the hard work needed to get back to this game next season,” said Smith.
The Pipers went 0-2 in provincial finals on the weekend.
The Junior Varsity squad fell 34-3 to Nanaimo’s John Barsby Bulldogs in the provincial final. The Bulldogs eliminated the Panthers’ JV team 16-6 in the B.C. semifinals.