The Cowichan Bulldogs football teams opened the spring season on the road last weekend, and the junior bantams picked up right where they left off in the fall, when they won the Island championship.
The junior bantam ‘Dogs marched into Ladysmith, where they defeated the Steelers 72-12.
“After the first couple touchdowns we brought in our less-experienced new players to fill vital roles, but we just couldn’t not score,” Cowichan coach Ted Harris commented.
Dillon Wilson opened the scoring, returning the opening kickoff 58 yards for the first of his three touchdowns on the day, and Nico Harris kicked the convert. Harris scored on Cowichan’s first play from midfield on the Bulldogs’ first actual possession of the day, setting the stage for a monster outing of five touchdowns, five converts and a rouge.
Other touchdowns came from Cody Williams and Ben Wilson, who shared quarterback duties throughout the game and each scored once.
Davin Reithaug was held off the scoresheet, but his long runs didn’t go unnoticed. Newcomer Trey West had a good showing in his first football game ever, highlighted by a forced fumble that the Bulldogs recovered. Matteo Breckenridge had a strong game on defence, while Eric Guo, Liam Moore and Isaac Keepence did valuable work on the offensive line.
“We have a good nucleus from our fall championship team, with some talented and experienced first-year junior bantam players,” coach Harris commented. “With (Nico) Harris, Reithaug and Dillon Wilson in our backfield I expect a lot of scoring this year. These are big powerful and fast running backs that are hungry to score touchdowns.”
Harris and Wilson have been picked to play on a B.C. all-star team in May against an Alberta team in May, and Wilson was chosen for the West side in the All Canada Bowl in July.
The junior bantams will play their home opener at McAdam Park this Saturday against Oceanside, kicking off at noon.
The atom Bulldogs opened the season against the Nanaimo Bombers in Parksville, and defence dominated the day in a 12-0 win for Nanaimo.
“Both teams played a hard-fought defensive game,” Cowichan coach Trystan Ryder said. “Our offence struggled at times, but battled hard. The defence made some big plays, including numerous tackles for negative yards and a forced fumble recovery.”
The atoms visit Saanich this week.
“Our team is looking forward to making up for the loss with a big win,” Ryder said. “And we expect to be firing on all cylinders come game day.”