The Langley Stampeders are starting to rumble early in the Vancouver Mainland Football League season.

The midget Stamps downed the visiting Victoria Spartans 24-14 to improve their record to 2-1.

Stamps' head coach Shane Thompson is happy with his players' progress, and their work ethic, thus far.

"They are starting to realize they are not the powerhouse they have been the past three years and have to work for any success they are going to have," Thompson said. "Teams will not just lay down because they are playing the Stampeders."

After the Spartans scored on their opening possession of the second half to move ahead 14-10, it was all Stampeders.

Langley's offensive line of Kyle Campagna, Scott Tolnay, Scott Miller, Hayden Coss, Keith Horn, and Clayton Frohlich controlled the line of scrimmage, opening huge holes for the Stamps' running backs.

The Stamps responded quickly after the Spartans' score with an 11-yard touchdown run by Kalen McMurchy.

The impressive drive started at Langley's own 23-yard line and included key runs by Kalen McMurchy, Brian Desmarais, and Sameer Nasuri to keep the ball moving.

Early in the fourth quarter the Stampeders struck again with a one-yard touchdown run by Raegan Ducette.

Nasuri McMurchy and Ducette had key runs during the drive.

Defensively, the Stamps were up to the challenge with interceptions by Mitch Leader and a game-ending pick by Ryan Porteous.

Jack Westcott ended the game with eight tackles, and Kalen McMurchy saw double duty on both offence and defence.

He ended the game with five tackles and made several bone-jarring hits on Spartan receivers.

. Read the full Langley Minor Football report online at www.langleyadvance.com, click on "Sports"