The peewee Cowichan Bulldogs gave themselves a huge confidence boost on Saturday when they roared back from a 14-point deficit to defeat the Westshore Warriors at Goudy Field in Langford.
Trailing by a pair of touchdowns, the Bulldogs’ offence surged with several pass completions and an impressive running game, but it was the Cowichan defence that stole the show.
“In recent weeks, our defence has began to realize the potential that coaches and parents had seen since the beginning of the season,” Cowichan coach P.J. Shea said. “Though being undersized against a large Westshore team, they utilized their speed and grit to produce their most outstanding performance of the year.”
The Cowichan defenders wreaked havoc in the Westshore backfield throughout the game. The Bulldogs’ defensive line, outside and inside linebackers, and safeties were unrelenting in putting pressure on the Westshore offence.
“We beat a strong Westshore squad who had us out-sized and outnumbered,” Shea said. “This game proved to our kids that they have the skill and drive to excel. Every single member of the team had an integral role in the win. This is a great group of kids who are not only talented, but dedicated and supportive of each other. They really deserved that win.”
The junior bantam Bulldogs ended up having the weekend off, but half a dozen players travelled over the Malahat to watch the last day of the Westshore Rebels’ junior camp, which included a total of eight former Bulldogs.
“The Rebels scrimmaged, and our players had a great time watching the skill, intensity and effort it takes to make a team at the [B.C. Junior Football Conference] level,” Cowichan junior bantam coach Jeff McDonald said.
Suiting up for the Rebels were former Cowichan players Niko Ceska, Kevin Gabriel, Dusean Leblanc, Matt Pastro, RJ Piche, Darian Slater, Patrick Warren and Eric Williams.
Both Bulldogs teams are off this weekend, and will play their regular-season finales on May 5 at Ladysmith.