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Clean sweep for Cowichan Bulldogs football teams

Atom, peewee and junior bantams all win on Saturday
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The three Cowichan Bulldogs football teams swept their games last Saturday. (Submitted by Cowichan Football)

It was a clean sweep for the Cowichan Bulldogs as all three minor football teams collected victories last Saturday.

The atom Bulldogs won 43-34 over the Victoria Spartans at McAdam Park, while the peewee and junior bantam Bulldogs won their road games against Oceanside.

The atoms jumped out to an early lead on a 78-yard touchdown by Gus Steeves and two-point convert to Rylund (Blondie) Monti, and never trailed for the rest of the game.

A big hit by Emmitt Ryder and fumble recovery by Rylen Heyer stopped the Spartans’ opening drive, and led to another touchdown by Steeves. The Spartans scored the next two touchdowns, but another big run by Steeves set up a touchdown by Vaughn Williams. The teams each scored two more touchdowns before the end of the first half, Cowichan getting both of theirs from Steeves — the first on an 80-yard run and the next on a short run after runs by Monti, Harrison Plaxton and Ethan Lust. Cowichan was up 35-21 at halftime.

The Spartans scored the first touchdown of the second half, but Cowichan replied with another drive that featured runs and catches by Lust, Plaxton and Deven Randhawa before Williams scored. The Spartans were able to score again but couldn’t overcome the Bulldogs’ lead.

The atoms will visit Nanaimo White this Saturday.

“Nanaimo is sitting in first place with four wins and no losses,” atom Bulldogs head coach Opie Williams said. “We are looking to change that.”

The peewee Bulldogs topped the Oceanside Lions 16-8 in Parksville.

“It was a close fought game that was important for us to get back in the win column,” peewee coach Trystan Ryder said. “Our offence controlled the ball for the majority of the game. Long drives and a small roster led to some pretty gassed young athletes at the end of the game. Our work at practice, training and conditioning was evident, and we are very proud of the dedication from this team.”

Mica Kendrick scored both Cowichan touchdowns on huge runs, benefitting from the blocking of Adam Troy and Aylin Canning. Centre Marshall Johnson returned to bolster the offensive line, and quarterback Domenic Reeves connected with Cole Tokarek on several deep passes.

Cornerback Kasen Randhawa’s coverage of the Oceanside receivers was key as the Bulldogs held the Lions to a single touchdown. Nose tackles Drake Thomas and Hunter Phillips played a strong game and limited Oceanside to only one strong run up the middle.

“As always, we are thrilled with the hard work and effort from our team, but on the same token we are constantly pushing for more,” Ryder said. “We have a very talented group of young athletes and are excited for the second half of the spring season.”

The peewee and junior bantam Bulldogs are off this weekend, returning to action at home on May 14.



Kevin Rothbauer

About the Author: Kevin Rothbauer

Kevin Rothbauer is the sports reporter for the Cowichan Valley Citizen
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