Bulldogs Insider #9 - Season Highlights

Each week Bulldogs wide receiver and BayToday.ca Sports Writer Matt Gordon will be giving you an insightful look at the North Bay Bulldogs. Enjoy!

With a 23-0 loss last Saturday to the Soo Steelers the 2009 Northern Football Conference regular season came to an end for the North Bay Bulldogs. With a 2-6 record the Bulldogs now have two weeks to prepare for the post season and a match-up with the Tri-City Outlaws.

After a month long training camp and 9 week regular season there have been many noteworthy moments for the team. Although the Bulldogs had a disappointing second half of the season, the team has produced quite a few positives both on and off the field. These positives have to be the focus of the players if they hope to be successful in the playoffs and into next season.

There are even positives that can be taken from the late season struggles. With each failure, whether it is small or large, there is a lesson that can be learned. Those lessons will provide the knowledge or motivation that the players can use to be successful not only on the gridiron but off it as well.

The 2009 Bulldogs highlights began early this year at the beginning of training camp. After losing 18 players following the 2007 season and bringing in 12 rookie players in 2008 (the largest batch in recent memory), no one could have imagined that 2009 would top that mark. Over the course of training camp in May no less than 14 more new players were playing with the Bulldogs for their first time. Having 26 new players join the team in just two seasons really speaks to the growing popularity of football in North Bay and will definitely help in the long term development of the organization.

In week 1 of the season the Bulldogs travelled to play the Milton Marauders at Corpus Christi high school in Burlington. This gave many players their first chance to play on the same type of artificial turf that is slated to be installed at the new multi-sports complex in North Bay. The field was immaculate and even through a late first half down pour the turf was unfazed and still provided players the ability to change directions at high speeds.

Hopefully through the development of the new local complex a benefit will be seen to having at least one field that has adequate seating and lighting in an enclosed area. Not only would it provide protection for the field but also the ability to gain revenue from ticket sales for major events like OFSAA Soccer or NDA Friday night football.

Moving to week 3 where the Bulldogs pulled off a dramatic last minute victory over the visiting Sarnia Imperials. It not only broke a two game losing streak against the Imperials but it also marked the first late game comeback victory for the team since 2004.

The season long performance of the defence has been a major bright spot for the team. From their 5 turnover game in week one versus Milton to their near perfect game against the Raiders in week 8, this group has gone beyond the call of duty week after week. There are Bulldogs at or near the top of every defensive statistical category and their team defence has been amazing all season.

Some of the young players, specifically rookies, have had standout performances this year as well. Defensive back Glen Chartrand got his first career interception against the Soo last week. Glen started the season at running back and moved over to the defence midway through the season and has worked his way into a regular roll on a great defence.

Kory Benoit, another rookie defensive back, has improved with every practice and he has come up big late in the season bringing in two interceptions. With his speed it will not be long before Kory is covering every receiver like a blanket.

On the offence, there have been two rookie standouts that will definitely do some damage in the not too distant future. Jon Wilkinson, who will be suiting up for York University this fall, has run extremely hard every time he has been handed the ball. Against the Raiders in week 8 he had the whole offensive huddle saying “let’s run the ball with Johnny” over and over again.

Another recent high school grad, Nick Graham, joined the team midway through the season and has been nothing short of amazing. His speed, body control and great hands have provided several highlight reel catches in practice. Against the Soo last week Nick had the block of the year as the 18 year old put his defender on his back springing a long run by Ali Ajram. The best part of the block was that it was not a blindside hit, Nick squared up his defender and drove him back until he was on the ground.

There have been many other outstanding individual performances this year, from Sterling Bilz’s 70 yard run against Kingston to Scotty Brown ripping a catch right out of a receivers hands. There have been big hits and big plays every game, too many to note in one article.

Just like every other year, the 2009 regular season was full of good football memories. Although the team would like to have a better record to show for their performance there are many positives they can draw on going into the playoffs.