Mission Roadrunners star Jesse Walker has played a lot of football this season.
It started in mid-August with pre-season training camp and didn’t end until early December, when his team made it to the Double-A final of the 2014 Subway Bowl at BC Place Stadium, where he scored three touchdowns in a losing effort.
But he wasn’t able to put away his pads just yet.
The 6’2”, 195-pound senior, who was named the 2014 Double-A Player of the Year, was then selected to a B.C. all-star squad that participated in the 4th annual Tanoa Bowl Classic in Auburn, Wash., on Sunday.
For the players on Team BC hoping to land U.S. scholarships, the game was a good opportunity to display their gridiron skills in front of American scouts and coaches.
And Walker turned heads early on, catching a 43-yard pass from quarterback Brandon Holland on Team BC’s first drive of the game.
Team BC lost the game 21-6 to WA Vasa but it wasn’t all about the final score.
“It’s a great opportunity. I’m very glad I played for Team BC. To come out here and showcase my talent and do things and play with all the boys I play against in the province is a great feeling,” said Walker. “To be out here playing against the best, the kids that know their game, it’s great.”
Mission coach Danny Jakobs figures Walker has a good shot at playing university ball in the States.
“Jesse is in a class by himself. He can go as far as he wants to in football,” Jakobs said prior to the game. “I’m pretty sure he’ll get a full-ride; he’s that good.”
Mission offensive lineman Rayl Paling also represented Team BC.
Team BC coach Jay Prepchuck said playing in the Tanoa Bowl against U.S. competition was a great experience for his players.
“It’s kind of the unknown factor what’s going to happen when we come down here. I think it was important that our guys got off to a good start and that we showed people down here that we can compete with these guys.”