A B.C. high school football player's spectacular catch has earned him national attention and load of equipment for his school.
Caleb Mills of Abbotsford's Robert Bateman Timberwolves morphed into Odell Beckham Jr. circa 2015 during B.C. high school football action on Sept. 12 and as a result his school now has a $3,000 equipment grant from Football Canada.
The spectacular grab occurred in the first quarter of Bateman's exhibition game against Handsworth and saw Mills extend himself on an out route and make a one-handed grab on the sidelines from a pass by quarterback Jackson Hall. The 24-yard completion earned the Timberwolves a first down and put them in the red zone.
Bateman went on to post a 42-21 win.
The catch was selected as the Week 3 NFL Canada Way to Play Award winner and was also featured on TSN.
"This might be the best one yet," stated TSN personality Kara Wagland about the catch. "Young man, take a bow."
"Dirty," said TSN's Davis Sanchez of the grab.
Mills helped Bateman receive a $3,000 equipment grant administered by Football Canada. The award is designed to invest in Canadian high school and CEGEP tackle football programs while reinforcing good playing technique.
This marks the second straight year that Bateman earned the grant, as last year Dante Meyer received the same award for a play he made.
Meanwhile on the field, the preseason continued for the Timberwolves on Friday (Sept. 19) as they posted a 29-0 win over the Mission Roadrunners in Mission.
The Wolves had a 22-0 lead at halftime and had two touchdowns from wide receiver Logan Grozell and one from Logan MacDonald.
Bateman now opens the regular season in New Westminster to take on the Hyacks on Friday (Sept. 26) night. The Wolves then host Sardis for the team's regular season home opener on Oct. 3.
In other action, the Mouat Hawks posted a dominant 56-9 win over the Sardis Falcons in Chilliwack on Friday.
Hawks running back Memo El Ferra carried the load offensively with 103 yards and Wyatt Heidenreich collected a team-high six tackles.
Mouat now opens the regular season against the South Delta Sun Devils on the new turf at Latham Field on Friday at 7 p.m.
Over on Vancouver Island, the Abbotsford Panthers and the Spectrum Thunder played to a 22-22 tie. The Panthers next host Eric Hamber for the team's home opener at Panther Field on Friday at 7 p.m.
For more on all the teams, visit bchighschoolfootball.com.
