The Bellerose Bulldogs are licking their wounds after Thursday's beat-down by the Bev Facey Falcons in high school football.
"They took it to us, that's for sure," said co-captain Robert Blunden of the 51-0 blowout at the Riel Park turf field. "That's ridiculous. That shouldn't have happened. We've got to pick it up and we've got to do better."
It's the second game in a row the Bulldogs failed to register a point against a provincially ranked tier I opponent.
Last week, the seventh-ranked Harry Ainlay Titans, the 2010 Edmonton public league champions and provincial finalists, scored 36 points against the Bulldogs in exhibition play in St. Albert.
The No. 1-ranked Falcons (2-0 overall) racked up 30 points in the first half and led by 44 after three quarters in the season opener in the metro Edmonton league's Carr conference.
"They're both solid teams. We all tried but nothing worked," Blunden said.
It was all downhill for the Bulldogs after a 50-yard return by Jed Groenenboom started off the game against the Falcons. On second down, quarterback Dallas Moroz threw the first of two picks in the loss. The defence held, and even forced a fumble, but was unable to recover the ball. After that, it was two-and-out for most of the first half and the rest of the game.
On defence, the Bulldogs allowed the Falcons to convert on second and long, and at times even third and long.
In the second half, the Falcons' big offensive line gradually wore the Bulldogs down, resulting in far too many missed tackles.
"We were embarrassed on a few plays tonight when a Facey running back ran through half our defence," said head coach Chad Hill. "We also need to tighten up on our coverage and do a better job of communicating assignments."
Blunden, 17, said the Bulldogs (0-3 overall) have to buckle down at practice and play with more heart and hustle.
"We need to practice more and have players show up. Twenty-nine players show up for practice and 39 come to the game. That's not good at all," said the versatile Bulldog who lined up against the Falcons at fullback, tailback and defensive end and did all the kicking. "We need to work on how we finish plays and how we run them. People need to bust their [butts] way more. We need to get our heads on straight. We need to work together more and stop putting each other down."
Battle of St. Albert
The next game for the team of players from Bellerose and Sturgeon high schools is a big one. The ninth edition of the Battle of St. Albert between the Bulldogs and St. Albert High Skyhawks (1-1 overall) goes this Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Riel Park field. Admission is $5.
"They're licking their chops to play us after this game," Hill told the shell-shocked Bulldogs in the post-game huddle.
It's also the first grudge match against Bellerose for the Skyhawks without Paul Kane players in their lineup.
The game of the year in St. Albert high school sports in 2010 was the groundbreaking 7-0 victory by the Bulldogs against the Skyhawks in front of the largest crowd to ever watch a football game in St. Albert.
Dating back to the inaugural 1999 clash, the Skyhawks defeated the Bulldogs in every meeting, with scores of 42-8, 42-22, 42-0, 60-0, 39-3, 17-2 and 38-0.
"I can't wait to play them, definitely," Blunden said. "Is there pressure? Yeah, for sure. They're going to be aiming for us."
Skyhawks soar
The Skyhawks are coming off a 27-6 victory over the short-staffed Archbishop Jordan Scots in Thursday's conference game in St. Albert.
The Skyhawks are ranked fifth in tier III and the Scots (1-1) are 10th in tier II.
The Scots drove the opening kickoff deep into Skyhawks' territory but the defence, led by Landon Wenger and Brad Hoddinott, forced a fumble that the home team recovered.
Both teams struggled offensively for the rest of the first quarter.
With Grade 10 quarterback Keith Zayl at the controls, the Skyhawks found their wings and scored twice. The impressive Zayl teamed up with Brendan Thera-Plamondon on a 25-yard pass-and run touchdown and unloaded a 50-yard bomb to Danton Tait-Vanderheide, who easily beat his defender and hauled in the well-thrown pass for six points. The first convert failed but the second found the mark as the Skyhawks led 13-0 at break.
The second half was a continuation of the second quarter as a stout Skyhawks defence, led by seniors Tyler Demers at defensive end and Wenger at linebacker — plus Grade 11 standouts in Carter Ganton, Jack Zubick and Hoddinott — continually shut down the Scots drive after drive. The frustration level of the visitors was exemplified by their chippy play, resulting in a dust-up at the Scots bench.
Touchdowns by Daniel Henry and Zayl on running plays in the third quarter were converted by Tait-Vanderheide.
The Scots ended the game with a meaningless score.
Also contributing to the win were centre Peter Hryhorchuk, defensive back Emery Mindana and receiver Chase Meriner.
