The Senior Varsity North Bay Bulldogs (1-1) travelled south this past Sunday to take on the York Regional Lions (1-1).
On a hot humid day in Aurora, the fans were treated to a back and forth affair, with five different lead changes, and a dramatic last minute finish.
York jumped out to a 7-0 lead early, but the Bulldogs came back to lead 10-7 thanks to a TD pass from QB Owen Webb to WR Erron Beachey, followed by a James McGill FG as the first half expired.
On the defensive side of the ball Devon Shore had an early INT, Rowan Murphy added a forced fumble and McGill had the fumble recovery.
The Bulldogs battling through injuries, humidity and fatigue managed to take a 29-22 lead in the fourth quarter thanks to another McGill FG , a JayC Janveau TD run, as well as TD passes from Webb to Beachey and Janveau.
The seesaw battle continued, as York drove the ball down the field against an exhausted Bulldogs defense and punched in a TD to tie the game at 29-29 with just under 3 minutes remaining.
However, any momentum from that game tying score was quickly washed away. The ensuing kick off saw KR James McGill with an 80+ yard kick-off return TD to put the Bulldogs back on top 36-29.
The Bulldogs defense dug deep and put together a gutsy - bend don’t break - drive to put the game away. With the Lions driving for the game-tying score, FS James McGill made a great leaping INT on the Bulldogs 2 yard line with 2.7 seconds remaining to seal the victory.
A kneel down form Webb and the SV squad improved their record to 2-1 in the U18 North AA division.
The SV squad is on the road again next Saturday July 2, in Belleville to take on the Quinte Skyhawks (3-0). Game time is 1 p.m. at MA Sills Park.
In other Bulldogs news, the North Bay Senior Bulldogs dropped a close 21-20 decision to the Sault Ste. Marie Steelers on Sunday afternoon at the Steve Omischl Sports Complex.
At the U16 level the Bulldogs were humbled by the Sudbury Jr Spartans 33-0 in Sudbury on Saturday.
Meanwhile the U14 Bulldogs took their first loss of the season losing 22-0 to Huronia Stallions in Barrie on Sunday. The loss drops the U14 Bulldogs to 3-1 on the season.
Mathieu Desbiens was named the hardest worker of the game making his debut at quarterback and playing defence as well.
