Eric Hamber secondary is embracing the spirit of the varsity football playoffs by stepping into the shoes --- or rather, slipping on the helmets --- of the Griffins football team.
The Griffins play for the Tier II BC Championship at BC Place Saturday morning. It's the second stab at a provincial title for the program since they launched six years ago as the only public school football program in Vancouver.
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In 2014, a high-octane but low-scoring heartbreaker to Earl Marriott.Ìý
Head coach Bobby Gibson said numbers as well as expectations have grown for the players, and there are now many five-year Griffins as opposed to only a handfull.
"Most of our senior guys have been playing since Grade 8," he said, "have actually hit the gym, and expect to play well. They're going to camps in the summer, trying out for all-star teams. They understand the game now and so we’re not teaching everything from the beginning."
The school is showing its pride in #GriffinsNation.Ìý
In a series of hype-building Instagram pics, fans don jerseys and helmets in advance of the championship. No one seems to have opted for the eye black promoted by athletics director Indy Sehmbi.
The large helmets overwhelm the heads of younger students but they do look surprisingly natural when worn to photocopy a pigskin.
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The Griffins play Pitt Meadows at 9:30 a.m. at BC Place. Tickets are $10.
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