Bulldogs head coach Marc Mathon goes behind centre during practice at Rollie Fischer field on Thursday night. Photo by Anthony Valade.
The North Bay Bulldogs have been granted an extra home game by the NFC and they are hoping to turn it into their first victory of the season. The Bulldogs, who were originally slated to play in Toronto this Saturday, will instead host the Toronto Maddogs in week three NFC action. Both teams are winless this season and the Bulldogs know that it is crucial not to fall to 0-3. Head coach Marc Mathon knows that this start has been tough on his team, but also knows they will be able to rebound.
“You know it’s tough, the guys you know are reeling a little bit from it,” said Mathon about the teams 0-2 start.
“You know, we got to rebound. Again, it’s all about patience and we have to be able to execute are own positions and get it right. Once our offence gets their timing a little bit better we’ll be a lot more productive.”
When pressed about any changes in the offence this week, Mathon felt that there were none needed; and again emphasized that working on timing is the key to get the offence rolling.
“It’s just timing, we’re just missing the timing on some of our plays,” proclaimed Mathon.
“I’m very confident that once we get the timing right on our plays, we’re going to be able to move the ball. We’ve had a few personnel injuries that have kind of put us down a little bit.”
Although he is pleased with his team’s overall defensive play this season, the coach feels they need to improve on their third down defence. The Soo Steelers were able to complete a number of third down conversions and it is something that the coach knows needs to be improved on if the Bulldogs are going to have a chance of winning.
“They were able to convert their third downs. Any time a team is able to convert third downs it’s like a takeaway. By converting they deny our offence an opportunity and they continue their offence. They had three drives that were extended by penalties and if we can cut those out then we’ll give the other team a lot less chances,” said Mathon.
The coach also made it a point to state that he was quite impressed with the officiating last week, a statement which does differ from the assessment he had provided following the game. However, after a week of reviewing game film, Mathon feels as though the North Bay crew did a great job.
“Normally North Bay games are not officiated by local officials,” said Mathon about the local crew doing the Bulldogs game.
“However, due to a shortage of officials down south, the local officials were scheduled to do it. And you know it is a tough spot for them because they do not want to look like the hometown officials and they want to be as subjective as possible. I believe they did a really good job, I was quite pleased with the officiating.”
The head coach was not the only coach sharing his opinion on the team during practice. Secondary coach Duke Schreck also commented on the way the team is playing and his expectations moving ahead this season. As far as the secondary is concerned, Duke is quite happy with the way things are going but knows there are tests still to come.
“It’s been going quite well,” said Schreck in regards to the secondary’s performance.
“We haven’t given up a long touchdown yet. The corners have been playing quite well. We’re hoping that we can keep this up the rest of the way. However we have not faced an outstanding quarterback yet. When we get into some of the teams like Oakville, Oshawa, and the Toronto teams, we’ll see how we do then.”
Schreck also was quick to defend his team and hopes to quiet the criticism it has received in the press as of late for the performance on the field.
“The team has performed well,” said Schreck in defending the team’s overall execution.
“The people in the newspapers and TV are saying that the offence is not performing well. The offence is performing well; they just are not performing well consistently. They are able to move the ball down the field, but they are making one mistake and it’s been costing them.”
Schreck also wanted to add that he feels that the coaching staff, Marc Mathon and Kelly Lloyd, is doing an excellent job with what they are given.
“Marc does an outstanding job. He is working with limited numbers and is able to work with their talents. It’s a pleasure to work with him and Kelly because they are football people” said Schreck.
The week three contest between the Bulldogs and Maddogs is scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff. The game will take place Saturday, June 16th at Rollie Fischer field.
