The Bellerose Dawgs are in the hunt for their first high school junior football championship in team history.
A victory against the Bev Facey Falcons in the Oct. 26 semifinals would propel the Dawgs into the metro Edmonton premier conference final. Their last trip to the big game was 2005.
“It’s been too long and this is the team to do it,” head coach Chad Hill told the Dawgs after Tuesday’s 62-0 thrashing of the St. Albert Hawks in the last game before the playoffs. “We have nothing left to battle but the big boys.”
Kickoff between the Dawgs (2-1 in pool B) and Falcons (3-0 in pool A) is 7:30 p.m. at Johnny Bright Park.
Last year the Dawgs were undefeated until the Falcons crushed them 41-0 in the semifinals.
“This year we’re the top dog,” declared quarterback Shannon Stuht. “We want to beat Bev Facey and make it to the championship. That’s what we’re focused on.”
The teams also have an exhibition on tap Tuesday at the Riel Park turf field at 5 p.m.
Stuht, 17, is among six Dawgs back from last year. The Grade 11 Bellerose student is rounding back into form after recovering from a fractured fibula.
“This junior team has a lot of spirit and most of all a lot of work ethic. We’re all ready to play. There are no egos. We have a lot of heart and we’re a family,” said Stuht, last year’s safety and backup quarterback. “We have depth and a lot of strong players so we don’t rely on any individual player. There is also a lot of leadership on this team, physically and mentally and vocally.”
The Dawgs are 4-1 overall going into the playoffs. Their only loss was 14-9 against the Paul Kane Blues (3-0 in pool B) last week.
“It was a disappointment for us as a family and as a football team but it gives us more incentive to come out and play better next time,” Stuht said.
In Tuesday’s victory the Dawgs registered nine touchdowns, one safety and six conversions against the winless Hawks. At halftime it was 36-0.
Tyler Thorsley rushed for TDs of 25, 15 and three yards. Nick Svenson also ran for TDs of 40 and 31 yards. Two TDs by Tyler Moroz included a 59-yard romp. Kyle McCullough busted loose for a 37-yard major. The other touchdown came when Foster Rae recovered a fumble in the end zone on a botched fake punt attempt.
“We didn’t make half as many mistakes as we did against Paul Kane and it makes us feel ready to go for the playoffs,” Stuht said.
The Hawks have averaged 57.5 points against in four shutout losses in league and exhibition action. They currently have only 21 healthy bodies. Eight players have previous football experience and four had significant playing time in the past.
“They came out here with not a lot of players but at least they are dressing and playing this game that we all love,” Stuht said. “It was nice to play them. I wish them well next season. Obviously this is a rebuilding season for them and I hope they do better.”
The Hawks huddle up Tuesday against the winless O’Leary Spartans to determine the third-place team in pool B. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. at Clarke Park. The winner will play the Austin O’Brien Crusaders (0-3 in pool A) in the Oct. 24 city conference semifinals.
“We are very much looking forward to playing some competitive games. The boys have worked hard and it will be nice for them to experience the feel of a competitive football game,” said head coach Sean Brass. “It’s difficult to see these guys work so hard in practice all week and have very little success in the game. It breaks my heart that they have yet to feel the excitement and accomplishment of a victory. We have that chance next week and we are very enthused by the opportunity.
“This will be a very successful group of young men. They’re learning many valuable lessons this season and have demonstrated incredible perseverance.”
The city final is Nov. 3 at Foote Field at 5 p.m.
THIRD DOWN: Paul Kane will tackle the Salisbury Sabres or Beaumont Bandits in the Oct. 26 premier semifinals at 5 p.m. at Johnny Bright Park. Salisbury, the defending champion, and Beaumont are 1-1 in pool A.
The final is Nov. 3 at 7:30 p.m. at Foote Field.
Paul Kane is 4-1 overall after Tuesday’s 38-21 exhibition loss against the St. Joes Celtics from Grande Prairie. The Celtics brought basically their senior team with the exception of five Grade 12 players. Quarterback Cory Knott ran for TDs of 70 yards in the first quarter and 10 yards in the fourth quarter. With 30 seconds to play, he hit John Farris with a 15-yard TD strike. Slotback Mateo Duncan scored three touchdowns for the Celtics.
The Paul Kane offence was forced to punt twice, but squandered chances in Celtic territory three times with two fumbles and a stuffed quarterback sneak on third down.
Paul Kane has an exhibition slated Tuesday against Austin O’Brien at 7:30 p.m. at Clarke Park.
