Football is a game of inches and routes.
The New Westminster Hyacks continue to send graduating players out on routes of their own.
Three players committed to post-secondary programs, including two to Simon Fraser University, and a third to a California junior college.
Jeff Lugtu and Jamie Shiho will be trekking up Burnaby Mountain to help the Clan take the next step in the NCAA.
Meanwhile, Rochon Bhattacharya is venturing southside to join the West Hills College Coalinga Falcons.
“Jeff kind of gets compared a lot to the great Hyack linebackers of the past,” said New West coach Farhan Lalji. “He had a great career for us and was a high character, high impact player.”
Lugtu, at 5-foot-9, always faced players larger than him but was determined to win. He capped his senior season as a Western Conference all-star.
In 2014 he finished second in B.C. with 91 solo tackles, and last year placed third with 89, along with four quarterback sacks and two interceptions.
“This year he had more people on him, but he still got the job done,” said Lalji. “He’s just a very explosive player. I’m really glad (SFU) looked past his height and saw his playmaking abilities.”
Shiho will join Lugtu on Burnaby Mountain, making the shift from quarterback to receiver with the Clan’s NCAA Div. 2 program.
Shiho was instrumental in New West’s rise to the AAA senior semifinals, earning Western Conference all-star honours. Shiho, at 5-foot-7, passed for 1,123 yards and eight touchdowns, but will be on the other end of the pass when camp opens.
“The big thing with Jamie was that, when he entered his senior year he had all the pieces to be a key player but he really needed to improve his toughness,” remarked Lalji. “Prior to that he was more of a finesse player, but he put in all the work and added toughness to his skillset, which already included leadership and a natural ability.”
Although he had an opportunity to go to McMaster, Shiho chose SFU because of football and academics. He plans on majoring in psychology.
Cornerback Rochon Bhattacharya, meanwhile, will get a chance to learn under eight-year Canadian Football League veteran Kai Ellis, who is the defensive coordinator at West Hills.
“Rochon has a real love for football, and West Hills gives him an opportunity to hone his game and see how far he can take it. “What he brings is a real passion for the game,” said Lalji.
New West also unveiled its 2016 schedule, which begins Sept. 2 when they visit Scapoose High School in Oregon. A week later they host the 2015 No. 1 ranked Notre Dame of Calgary, and play their first conference game Sept. 23 against Carson Graham.
