Bulldogs Youth Tackle Football Semi-finals

The end of another memorable season has come for the North Bay Bulldogs Youth Tackle Football League. This past weekend saw the league run a Semi-Final between the 6 teams. In the first game the Argos hosted the Eskimos and the Argos took the lead in their first drive with a 5 yd TD run by Nick Webb. Later in the 1st quarter the Eskimos responded with Wanya Bessette scoring a 30 yard TD on an end around play. Wanya also scored the convert to give the Eskimos an 8–6 lead. In the 2nd quarter the Argos mounted a drive that was capped by another Nick Webb TD coming from 15 yards out. There is no doubt that the Argos Nick Webb is the work horse of the Argos offense with his break away speed and hard running style. Just before the end of the half though the Eskimos Eric Lapointe intercepted an Argo pass and took it 60 yards to give his Eskimos a 14 – 12 half time lead. The Argos made some defensive adjustments at half time and the Eskimos started to pass more in the 2nd half. The Eskimos marched the ball upfield with authority and an effective passing game. But two interceptions by the Argos #21 Zach Mason in the second half put an end to what looked like scoring drives for the Eskimos. Those interceptions took away scoring drive for the Eskimos and gave scoring chance to the Argos and they did capitalize with 2 majors by Nick Webb and one TD run from 2 yards out by Jeremy Lamontagne. The score ended in the Argos favor 34–14.

In game 2 of the Semi-Final 2 special teams TDs made the difference for the Ti-Cats as the Stamps gave the Ti-Cats all they could handle in this game. The Stamps opened the scoring with a great drive featuring good passing as well as hard running behind their workhorse RB Matt Morawski. The Ti-Cats answered with their own drive that was capped by a 25 yard TD run by Maxime Chartrand and the Sach Pecore convert gave the Ti-Cats the 8–6 lead. After stopping the Stamps early in the 2nd quarter, the Ti-Cats Maxime Chartrand scored again being on the receiving end of a Kaelan Mathon play action pass from 35 yards out. The Stamps Morawski answered the call again with an impressive 22 yard run through the Ti-Cats defense. On the ensuing kickoff the Ti-Cats come out with playoff trickery executing a reverse on their return with Jackson Laporte finding the sideline for a 60 yard TD return. With a minute left in the game the Stamps put together a great passing attack drive ending in a 35 yard pass completion and run by Matt Morawski to score. The score was 20–24 Ti-Cats going into the half. On the Ti-Cats next kick-off return, more trickery with a lateral pass to Quinlin McParland where he found a seem and raced to the endzone to build the Ti-Cats lead to 12 points. The Ti-Cats Darren Boissonault stopped a Stamps drive with an interception at midfield. The ensuing drive ended in this season’s only field goal attempt from 25 yards out. Pecore’s kick was only a foot short. Ti-Cats defense held the Stamps off the board and the Ti-Cats offense mounted a drive that looked like was going to end at the one with a great Stamps goal line stand. But Laporte took an end around for the score. The Ti-Cats took this Semi-Final 38–20.

In game 3 of the Semi-Finals the Riders hosted the Lions in a hard hitting affair. The Lions’ passing game was effective at moving the ball on the opening drive, but Riders’ Justin Rancourt intercepted a Lions pass deep in the Riders and scored a 65 yard TD on the interception return. The Lions went right back to work with their passing game on the next drive…moving the ball again. Then the big completion came to Fraser Armstrong scoring from 42 yards out. Justin Rancourt found Bo Peltier in the endzone for a 15 yard TD pass to give the Riders a 16–8 lead. The Lions didn’t quit responding right away with a well put together drive ending in a 15 yards screen pass to Jeremy Lee scoring to tie the game. Riders Justin Rancourt intercepted the Lions again to put the Riders in great field position at mid field. With less than a minute to work with the Riders passed the ball. Paul Wilkinson made an outstanding one handed diving catch to move his team into scoring position. Wilkinson scored from 3 yards out two plays later.

In the second half the Riders intercepted the Lions twice more and Paul Wilkinson showed how well his receiving skills are developing as he made 4 more receptions, with 3 of them being outstanding. Justin Rancourt is showing that he may very well be ready to play QB at the junior high school level with some pretty impressive passing. Paul Wilkinson scored 2 times in the second half and the Riders ended the game with a 40–16 win. The Lions were still improved as they moved the ball much better this week, but the Riders 4 interceptions and great play by Justin Rancourt and Paul Wilkinson proved to be the difference.

Next week on Sunday, October 25th, the finals will take place at Ecole Secondaire Algonquin football field with the first game being the C Division Final between the Stamps and the Lions kicking off at 11 am. At 12:30 p.m. the Riders will host the Eskimos in the B Division Final and then at 2:00 p.m. the A Division Final will be between the Argos and the Ti-Cats. All football fans are invited to come and watch these final games of the 2009 season and watch our future high school football stars play football.

Following the finals the league will go to its end of season banquet where every participant will be treated to a meal and a participation award. The Youth Tackle Football League is also collecting non-perishable food items at the banquet as part of the Coach 4 Food program.

Submitted to BayToday.ca