THUNDER BAY -- Caleb Perzan says football is a way of life.
He’s certainly taken to the sport.
The 15-year-old Hammarskjold Vikings running back on Thursday dashed for 104 yards and two touchdowns, helping to propel his team to a second straight win to start the high school junior football season, downing the Westgate Tigers 49-6 at Fort William Stadium.
Quarterback Gavin Perkins connected on three-of-four passes for 90 yards and two scores, a 56-yard strike to receiver Roddy Wigwas midway through the second quarter and minutes later found Ethan Porter for a 34-yard touchdown that extended Hammarsjkold’s lead to 28-0.
“I was just glad to come out and play some football,” Perzan said. “I’ve been really anxious for the season to start ever since the season started and school ended. Football is a way of life. Well, it’s my way of life and my friends.
“I’m happy I got to show up and play … I’m happy with how I played and I’m happy with how my team played.”
The Tigers, held to 117 total yards of offensive, struggled on both sides of the ball.
Down 14-0 in the second quarter, Westgate fumbled the ball away, Hammarskjold’s Colton Dowhowszya scooping it up and rumbling 23 yards for the defensive score.
Then, after quarterback Josh Grant marched his squad down the field and threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to running back Rory Jeffers with eight seconds to go in the half, the Tigers gave it right back.
Hammarskjold’s Zach Kuzik took it in from 52 yards out on the final play of the half, the Vikings taking a 35-6 lead into the break.
It was academic from there.
Perzan blasted through the Tigers defence to start the third, shaking off a tackle to find the end zone from 84 yards out.
Jack Hansen wrapped up the scoring in the third, intercepting a Grant pass on the Hammarsjkold 27-yard line and marching past the goal line for the Vikings seventh touchdown of the afternoon.
“We were really happy with how the boys competed today,” said Vikings coach Matt Steele. “We challenged them before the game, saying it’s a well-coached, highly athletic team over at Westgate. We needed to be ready to compete with them and we’re happy to see what they brought out on the field today.
“It’s a great feeling to be 2-0 after all the hard work they’ve put in since August.”
Hammarskjold has a bye next week, returning to the gridiron on Oct. 13 against defending champion St. Ignatius. Westgate next Thursday takes on St. Patrick.
