The North Bay Junior Bulldogs finished their 2016 Junior Varsity year in a Championship matchup in Etobicoke Saturday afternoon marking the first time in 40 years that a North Bay football club team played in provincial level championship game.
That excludes the West Ferris Trojans who won the Northern Bowl in 2006 and the Trojans again in 2013 who lost in the Northern Bowl 12-10.
They faced the Orangeville Outlaws in a tough hard hitting affair that found the teams tied at 14 late in the 3rd quarter, but ended in a 27–14 win for the Outaws.
The Junior Bulldogs gave up a long TD pass early in the game to find themselves down 7-0 early, but responded with their own long drive featuring first down runs by both Ryan McColeman and Matt Cirullo. That drive was capped by a one yard score by Mason McGriskin. With the score 7–7 the Bulldogs defense held the talented powerful Outlaws offense to force a punt.
The Bulldogs then marched down the field again behind the blocking of the offensive line showing a strong rushing game mixed with some play action passes to Jon Warren and Evan Desrosiers. After a run to the 2 yard line by Matt Cirullo, Matt Desjardins was able to find a seam behind an offensive line surge to score to take the lead.
Mid way through the 2nd quarter the Outlaws came back and scored their 2nd major, but failed on the convert attempt leaving the Bulldogs with a slim 14–13 lead going into the half. Just before the half the Bulldogs were driving again behind solid 1st down gains by Adam Courchesne and found themselves just inside the 40 yard line and took to the air to try to score with a pass to Jonah Tignanelli that went incomplete. The half ended with a reception inside the 10 yard line by Jon Warren, but there was no time left on the clock.
Unfortunately, the Junior Bulldogs lost third year veteran receiver Parker Raymond to an injury late in the 2nd quarter.
“Parker was having a great game up to that point, being very effective blocking. He showed a ton of courage with the effort he put in on the play he was injured,” said coach Mathon.
The 3rd quarter saw both teams implement adjustments and held both clubs to exchanging punts. Then a fumbled punt return by the Bulldogs gave the Outlaws possession inside the Bulldogs 40 yard line. Despite the turn of momentum the Dogs defense came up big with tackles for losses by Jay Turnsek and Brayden Campbell to hold the Outlaws offense back. The field goal attempt went wide but scored a single to tie the game at 14 – 14. “Boy....that turnover was a defining moment for those boys....they could have folded the tent but they never gave up...they behaved like good young men!” Said coach Mathon obviously proud of his players.
Late in the third quarter the Outlaws’ outstanding running back found space outside and then hit a seam to score their go-ahead touchdown and put their team up 21 – 14 going into the 4th quarter. The Junior Bulldogs offense began to move the ball again but hampered by a couple of penalties stalling the drive they had to put it on the defense to keep them in the game. Linebackers Philip Fortin and Myles Neal and Kalem Boucher worked hard to slow down the powerful Outlaw offense. After a tackle for lose by Philip Fortin the outlaws were once again forced to punt. The Bulldogs offense were still confident that they could march down and score.... they drove the ball down to the Outlaws 35 yard line, featuring a 35 yard reception by Evan Desrosiers. After some tough play by the Outlaw defense, the Bulldogs punted the ball to the endzone. The punt team had outstanding coverage with Jay Turnsek tackling the returner in the end zone to bring the score to 21–15.
Again the defense held the Outlaws with good contain work and tackling by Conor Doyle and Ethan Hurd, forcing a punt to set up what could have been a game winning scoring drive trailing only by 6 points with the ball on their own 40 with time on the clock. After gaining momentum and a couple of first downs, Jon Warren caught a McGriskin pass for another 1st down but came down awkwardly with the tackler and suffered an injury to his calf that put him out of the game. With both 6 year veteran slotbacks out of the game adjustments had to be made. Unfortunately, miscues came at inopportune times and the offense could not convert on a 4th and 18. With not much time left, the Bulldogs defense had to take some chances to stop the Outlaws and force a turnover... but again the Outlaws star running back found a seam and then the sideline to score and put the game out of reach and securing the 27 – 15 Championship win.
After the game coach Mathon addressed the team with the fans and parents nearby reassuring them that there is no shame coming up short on the scoreboard if they put out their very best effort to win.
“I know that most of our coaches have 1 or 2 sons.... but through this season there is no question that they believe as I do....that we all gained 47 sons this year and all of you gained 46 brothers,” said head coach Marc Mathon.
Of course the tears began to flow among the players, coaches and families present. You could see how well the Bulldogs organization are able to not only teach the kids football skills, learn discipline and accountability, but how they successfully create emotional ties between the players and coaches.
“I encourage you to take a moment today to give the coaches a hug and thank them for unselfishly giving you their time for nothing more than the love of the game....and you” continued coach Mathon.
Every player made his way to every coach before heading for the change rooms.
The Bulldogs would like to thank the community and all the fans that supported them all season, including the fans that travelled to support us at our away games during the 2016 season....which was certainly a season to remember.
Many of the players continued their tears, not because of the loss, but as Ryan McColeman explained “I’m just not ready for my time as a Bulldogs player to end...these people are the very best.”