Friday Night Lights (Image Credit: CFJC Today/Anthony Corea)
GAME POSTPONED

Whundas hoping to draw crowd for high school football game under the lights

Oct 1, 2026 | 6:45 PM

UPDATE: Westsyde director of football Cleve Maartman told CFJC on Friday morning that Kalamalka-Seaton of Vernon has forfeited, so there will be no game on Friday (Oct. 2).

He said the Whundas have rescheduled their United Rentals Friday Night Lights contest for Oct. 16, with Nechako Valley secondary of Vanderhoof coming to town. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m.

ORIGINAL STORY:

KAMLOOPS — Westsyde Whundas’ director of football Cleve Maartman said anticipation has been building for the senior football team’s annual United Rentals Friday Night Lights game. 


“Here in our community, they ask for it, ‘When is it going to happen?’” Maartman said. “We want this to be a huge event again. We don’t have the bleachers, but bring your chairs. It’s going to be a great game.”  

This year’s edition of the B.C. High School Football tilt will feature two undefeated AA Interior Division teams, with Westsyde (1-0) scheduled to host Kalamalka-Seaton (1-0) of Vernon on Friday (Oct. 2). 

Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Westsyde. 

“It’s a true team sport,” Maartman said. “Big kids, fast kids, smart kids. That kid whose got a little bit of a snap-show going, if he was in any other sport… soccer, he’d have a red card. If he played basketball, he would be fouled out. In hockey, he would be in the penalty box. In football, and done right with respect, you pat him on the back and say, ‘Go out there and attack that guy again, because one day you’re going to win that battle.'”  

Maartman said there are about 20 to 22 players on the senior team, which will have help from five or six junior varsity players this season.  

The Whundas opened the regular season last weekend with a 63-44 victory over visiting Clarence Fulton (0-1) of Vernon.