Bulldogs edged by Outlaws (updated)

Bulldogs fullback Kevin Ramakko plunges into the end zone bringing the Bulldogs within a touchdown (21-14) in the 3rd quarter. Photo by Blake McChristie.

Story by Blake McChristie

The North Bay Bulldogs were having what appeared early in the contest to be another long Saturday night, down 14-0 to the Tri-City Outlaws in the first quarter. Things began to look up for the Bulldogs in the second quarter when #87 - Andre Landry made a difficult 37 yard catch in the end zone for the Bulldogs’s first touchdown of the game. Tri-City would score again before the end of the half, bringing the score to 21-7.

The second half the Bulldogs game had new life. After Bulldogs quarterback Dave Wilson connected on a 25 yard pass to Matt Gordon near the goal line, fullback Kevin Ramakko scored a touchdown which put the Bulldogs back in the game down 21-14. The opposition would answer back later on in the third, bringing the score to 28-14 in favor of the Tri-City Outlaws. North Bay’s #7 - Ford Morland would score a touchdown in the fourth quarter but it wasn’t enough and the Bulldogs narrowly lost the game, 28-21.

To most Bulldogs fans, this was the best home game of the season and even the staff agreed.

"There has been a real improvements the last three weeks," said Bulldogs head coach Marc Mathon.

Coach Mathon is looking forward to next week when they face Oakville in their final game of the regular season.

"1 and 7 won’t get us into the playoffs, 2 and 5 or 2 and 6 will," Mathon explained.

Dave Wilson had a solid game in his first home start at quarterback this season passing for 297 yards and 1 touchdown pass. Andre Landry led the receiving corps with 7 catches good for 138 yards and a touchdown. The versatile Matt Gordon caught 7 balls for 77 yards and chipped in with 22 yards on the ground.

Outlaws All-Star quarterback Jeff Nosal threw for 243 yards and threw three touchdowns strikes in the victory for the first-place Outlaws.

The North Bay Bulldogs may find themselves in the playoffs if they win the next home game against the Oakville Longhorns, July 26th at Rollie Fischer Field.