Cowichan’s Junior Bantam Bulldogs crushed the Nanaimo Seahawks (white) 54-7 in a must-win game over the weekend.
“We are playing our best football at just the right time. It is a very tight race at the top of the standings, and we’ve done well to stay in the hunt for playoff positioning,” explained head coach Trystan Ryder. “Our JB division is filled with some very talented teams, and we will have to be on top of our game the rest of the way. This was another must win game for us, and the team came through.”
Cowichan’s defence played lights-out.
“We were on a different level. Our defensive line put so much pressure on the Seahawks offence that the ball rarely left the backfield,” Ryder said. “In one of the more gutsy performances I’ve seen as a coach, the Seahawks quarterback played tough as nails. She was rushed hard on every play, and was sacked multiple times. It did not matter how many times she took a big hit, she would bounce back up, and lead her team in the huddle.”
Defensive end Braydon Screaton was in on many of his team’s big hits.
“His ability to dominate at the end position, can be a game changer,” Ryder noted. Linebackers Maxim Magnan, and Landen Laver both had strong games, as did cornerback Matthew Dadswell.
Ryder compared the team’s offence to an “airshow coming to town”.
“Quarterback Domenic Reeves completed multiple passes to his receivers, and threw for four touchdowns. Not just a defensive giant, Screaton also hauled in two passes out of the tight end position and ran them in for the score.
Wingback Carter Gray, scored one receiving touchdown, and another on the ground.
Starting Center Ben Lewis took control of fullback duties briefly in the third quarter.
“He made the most of his opportunity, and on his third carry, he put the ball in the end zone for a touchdown,” Ryder said. “Seeing the look on Ben’s face after scoring his first touchdown, really gave our team a boost.”
In another surprise positional shakeup, starting right tackle, Marshall Johnson took his turn carrying the ball for the Bulldogs in the fourth quarter. Like Lewis, Johnson was fired up, and determined to pick up some big yards. On three Carries, Johnson put the team in scoring position.
“It was all-in-all a great game for our team,” Ryder said.
With a 6-2 record on the year, their final game of the regular season, this coming weekend, against Nanaimo Seahawks (blue) is crucial.
“This is a very important game for us to win. We will have to bring our ‘A game’ and have a maximum effort from all players,” Ryder said. “Our team will be ready.”