The pee wee Cowichan Bulldogs engaged in trench warfare with the Gordon Head Raiders for much of their football game at McAdam Park last Saturday, the teams hunkered down around the 55-yard line, with neither squad able to make much ground.
The Raiders tried a pass-heavy system, but the Bulldogs were able to shut them down for most of the game, getting key knock-downs from Phillip Schneider and Kilion VennRyan. The game remained scoreless until the last 43 seconds, when the Raiders connected on a touchdown pass to win 6-0. "Our offence fought hard all game and never quit trying to overcome a good Gordon Head D-line and the weather," Cowichan coach Brian Scott said.
The atom Bulldogs got off to an excellent start in their game earlier on Saturday against the Ladysmith Steelers, needing just 10 plays after kickoff to march the ball into the end zone. Running back Brock Lamont provided the big push needed to punch it through for the team's first points of the year.
"In the first half, everything was clicking," atom Bulldogs head coach Devon Lawrence said. "Big blocks were made by offensive lineman Trevor Eccelson and Parker Sparks giving the backs the time they needed to get outside. Defensively we showcased a new defensive formation which made a big difference in stopping Ladysmith."
Linebackers Cyrus Upshaw and Luke Larminay made tackles all over the field to help the Bulldogs hold on.
Ladysmith managed to pull ahead in the second half, however.
"The Bulldogs tried everything they could, but could not gain traction," Lawrence said.
The Cowichan team did manage a highlight play in the second half when quarterback Aiden Lawrence connected with Zack Pearson for a first down on Pearson's first catch of the year.
"The team is really starting to develop into confident football players and work together, which is exciting to see," coach Lawrence said.
All three Bulldogs teams will face the Sooke Seahawks this Sunday at Westhills Stadium in Langford.