After months of tryouts, training and games, the Team BC football journey came to an end for the four Cowichan Bulldogs who made the provincial team for the 2019 U16 Western Challenge in Kamloops on July 15-19.
Finn Shea, Jayden Strzok, Gregor MacKenzie and John Rostas and their provincial teammates came close to claiming the gold medal, but ultimately came up a little short in the tournament final against Team Saskatchewan, losing 21-7.
The second-place result was the best finish for Team BC in several years, and kicked off with a 26-21 win over the reigning champions from Alberta in the first game.
“It was an incredible experience — mind bending,” said defensive lineman Strzok, who was named Most Valuable Defensive Player for B.C. in the final against Saskatchewan. “I really loved the coaching as well. It was real a real eye-opener to see all the competition out there. I am super pumped for our fall football season.”
The four Bulldogs made up the second-largest contingent from any single program in the province, and the largest from any community football program. The Cowichan athletes had to compete for roster spots against players from every high school in B.C., including many with rosters five or six times the size of the Bulldogs program.
Registration for fall football is underway. Visit cowichanfootball.com for more information.