Ben Graunke rushed for close to 200 yards and scored four touchdowns to lead the Bellerose Bulldogs to Thursday’s victory in metro Edmonton high school football.
Quarterback Dallas Moroz also teamed up with Foster Rae for a 60-yard TD reception in the 34-26 decision against the Ardrossan Bisons at Riel Recreation Park.
“It was important to get that first hard-fought win,” said head coach Chad Hill. “It wasn’t pretty but we managed to pull it off.”
Graunke opened the scoring in the Carr conference lid-lifter and the Bisons answered with a long TD run.
After the Bulldogs regained the lead on Rae’s catch, the teams exchanged TDs for the rest of the half. Graunke found the endzone again for his second major.
Nathan Anderson also blocked a Bisons’ convert.
At the break it was 21-20 Bulldogs.
In the second half the Bisons broke free for another long TD run on their second possession. On the convert attempt the Bulldogs pressured the kick and it was no good.
“After that our D tightened and the O-line took over,” Hill said.
The offensive line, anchored by three Grade 11 Bulldogs – Jacob Neuls, Jack Hanna and Curt Supruniuk – rose to the challenge and dominated the line of scrimmage as Graunke busted loose for two more TDs.
“They were the difference,” Hill said.
Another key play was Liam Gray’s fumble recovery off a bad long snap deep in Bisons’ territory. The turnover led to Graunke’s final TD.
Gray also made a huge quarterback sack on the Bisons’ last series when they tried to air the ball out in the final minute of play.
The unsung Bulldog in the win was kicker Connor Hughes. Hill plucked Hughes from the junior team’s practice Thursday afternoon to fill the void Bellerose had at place kicker.
Hughes made four converts and on another kick the hold was botched.
The next game for the Bulldogs is Thursday against the Paul Kane Blues (1-0). Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. at the Riel turf field.
“We need to improve dramatically on defence before we play PK. That will be our major focus,” Hill said.
THIRD DOWN: The St. Albert Skyhawks are picking up the pieces after a devastating 55-7 loss to the defending Carr champion Bev Facey Falcons in Thursday’s league opener in St. Albert.
Last year the Falcons hammered the Tier III north finalists 63-14 in the last game before the metro playoffs.
The Skyhawks are in action Thursday against the O’Leary Spartans (0-1) at 5 p.m. at the Riel turf field.
