The Prince George Polars can look back on it as an experience.
One they don't ever want to see repeated.
A 62-0 loss to the Seaquam Seahawks of Surrey in a B.C. High School Football Association wild-card playoff Friday in Kamloops ended the Polars' season.
"It was ugly," said Polars assistant coach Joe Flavel.
"It was 42-0 at the half but the guys didn't quit and they held them to 20 points in the second half. They had a killer running back who could really move the ball. We were down by a lot but they kept their spirits high. At the end of the game they realized it was a learning experience, being the first time down here and the ones who are returning are looking forward to coming back and taking another go at it next year."
Last week, the Polars wrapped up their first P.G. Bowl Northern Conference title, defeating the Nechako Valley Vikings of Vanderhoof 26-19 in overtime. The Vikings are in Vancouver today to play the Handsworth Royals of North Vancouver in another BCHSFA wild-card playoff.
Mark Lego led the Seahawks' rushing attack, breaking free for several long gains that took him into the end zone. Taylor Goodine was the top rusher for PGSS with 50 yards including one carry that went for 21 yards. Brady LeComte contributed 34 yards rushing.
Polars quarterback Tyson Plain was under pressure almost the entire game and had trouble finding his receivers, who were limited by a smothering Seahawks' secondary.
"The closest we got was to their 20-yard line early in the second quarter," said Flavel.
"We passed the ball quite a bit early and their coverage was great . They had two guys on the ball every throw and Tyson was running for his life after awhile with four sacks. They had a pretty big team, very athletic and very hard-hitting. Their program is a lot more well-established."
The Polars lost three players to injuries in the first half -- Jason Chesley and Lucis Gomes with concussions, and Eric Irving with a leg injury.
PGSS will lose 11 players permanently to graduation , including Alex Peet, the defensive MVP in the Northern Conference, Coltron Starblanket, Jordan Olexyn, Colton Smeds, Dustin Hurley, Kyle Lively, Kyle Woods, Ryan Stern, Sawyer Edwards, Logan Taylor, and Damon Thibaudeau.
"It was a real thrill for some of these kids to play at Hillside Stadium, the Thompson Rivers University facility, it's an artificial field," Flavel said. :The guys had a good time and they've got something to learn from for next year."
