From Grade 9 football one season to the starting quarterback for the Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół»College varsity football team the next, Giordy Belfiore was promoted to one of the most high-profile positions in B.C. high school sports.
The six-foot-three pivot should have three years to grow into the position and on Oct. 5 against the Mt. Douglas Rams, he showed off a powerful arm despite a few stumbles against the defending provincial champions.
Visiting varsity head coach Mark Townsend said Belfiore’s junior varsity age was “astonishing.”
“I wouldn’t have guessed [he’s in Grade 10] because he looks like, certainly, a seasoned veteran varsity quarterback,” said Townsend after the Rams defeated the Irish 42-21 at O’Hagan Field.
“He’s very calm out there, threw the ball extremely well. That’s very impressive and certainly Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół»College with him being in Grade 10, their future is extremely bright.”
In a losing effort, Belfiore threw for 143 yards and two touchdowns. He was picked off twice, fumbled once and connected nine times on 22 attempts.
“He’s the best we have right now and that’s why he’s starting,” said Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół»College head coach Todd Bernett. “He’s very courageous and he doesn’t get rattled. He keeps his composure and he can take a hit, he showed that today. That’s why he’s doing what he’s doing.”
Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół»College went to the B.C. championship final last year (and lost to the Rams) with graduating quarterback Hunter Robinson, who set a record for passing more yards in his high school career than any previous quarterback in the school’s history. If Belfiore stays healthy and holds on to the position, he could write his own name in the record books.
“He’s good and we all know he’s good, too,” said wide receiver Manny Khun-Khun.
“He brings a young energy to our team and knowing that we have a younger quarterback than every other school out there, it makes us play that much better. He brings lots of respect and he’s also confident in his play.”
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