The wheels fell off for the Bellerose Bulldogs after the first quarter against the Salisbury Sabres in Thursday’s 51-14 train wreck in St. Albert.
The Sabres, ranked second provincially in tier I with an overall 5-0 record, exploded for 30 points before halftime after they were held off the scoreboard in the opening 12 minutes. The back-breaker was a screen play touchdown on the last play of the half. The score came after a Bulldog’s throw went off the receiver’s hands to a Salisbury defender for an interception with three seconds on the clock.
In the third quarter the Bulldogs marched the ball with authority for the first time this year. Kyle Duperron and Ryan Proulx gained good chunks of yards on the ground. Proulx capped off a long drive with a two-yard TD.
Dallas Moroz also connected with slotback Jed Groenenboom for a 30-yard TD in the corner of the endzone.
“The second half was a great improvement, however we still need to get better in many areas. Our D was solid for one quarter but then we were guilty of giving up big plays in critical situations,” said Chad Hill, head coach of the 1-2 Bulldogs in the metro Edmonton league’s Carr conference.
“Give credit to Sal. They played some inspired football. Many of their players and coaches attended a funeral that morning for two of their teammate’s parents who died in a traffic accident last week,” Hill said.
“Sal played as a team and they have some tremendous athletes.”
The Bulldogs (1-4 overall) had several players step into new roles against the defending Carr champions. Three of the starting five defensive backs didn’t start in last week’s 13-10 come-from-behind win against the St. Albert High Skyhawks. Running back Connor Blackburn was also part of the defensive line rotation and did a good job of pressuring quarterback Matt Bonaca.
The next game is Thursday against the Austin O’Brien Crusaders (3-0 overall), ranked number one in tier II. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. at Foote Field.
“We need to have a solid week of practice to get ready for AOB. They are a well-coached team with another star running back and a couple of dangerous receivers,” Hill said.
The high school junior football team at Bellerose got off to a roaring start in Tuesday’s pool B opener in the metro Edmonton league.
A dominating offensive line paved the way to victory, as the Dawgs shutout the St. Francis Xavier Rams 44-0 in St. Albert.
Tyler Thorsley, Tim Burgher, Nick Svenson, Taylor Brown and Andre Sarafinchan had success running the ball and scored touchdowns.
Logan Gray also filled in at quarterback for the injured Shannon Stuht.
Jacob Neuls was a force at guard and defensive tackle. Defensive ends Dean Ciampanelli (sacked the punter in the endzone for a safety) and Kirklen Robinson (two sacks) also contributed to the win.
The Rams didn’t register a first down until the fourth quarter.
Defence was the difference in the 16-6 exhibition win against the Salisbury Sabres last week at Clarke Park. Ciampanelli, linebackers Josh Rychlo and Sarafinchan and defensive back Josh Hanlon played major roles defensively.
On offence, Burgher rushed for two TDs, including a 60-yard scamper in the third quarter. He finished the game with 142 yards on 12 carries. Svenson added 54 yards on seven carries. Stuht also connected on a few passes, highlighted by a key second and long hook-up with Brown.
On special teams, Brett Usher rattled off several punts to secure field position and Brad Delmas converted both TDs.
The next game for the Dawgs is Tuesday versus the O’Leary Spartans. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. at Clarke Park.
After two games the Paul Kane Blues are running on all cylinders after outscoring the opposition 100-0 in high school junior football.
In Tuesday’s league debut the Blues throttled the O’Leary Spartans 57-0 in St. Albert.
The Blues struck pay dirt early and often as quarterback Cory Knott rushed for 110 yards and scored three touchdowns on three carries before the break. Knott opened the scoring on the third play from scrimmage with a 45-yard dash. On the next series he busted loose for another long TD run.
Before the quarter ended, the Blues struck again on a 28-yard counter run by slotback Tyler Turner.
Knott’s third TD at the start of the second quarter was a thing of beauty. After getting flushed out of the pocket, he shook off eight different tacklers en route to a 42-yard major.
Linebacker Greg Fleming returned a fumble 65 yards into the endzone to close out the second half with the Blues in front by 32 points.
The Blues padded their totals with TDs by fullback Jake Lee (one yard), backup quarterback Andrew Hoffman (one yard) and linebacker Luke Wiggins (fell on a fumble in the endzone). Isaac Kong also kicked a 37-yard field goal.
In exhibition action last week against the Austin O’Brien Crusaders, the Blues racked up 43 points in the lopsided decision in St. Albert.
The Blues scored at will in the first half. Flemming and Turner both crossed the goal line twice. Flex Schmidt and Knott also reach the endzone.
The Blues will now tackle the St. Albert Hawks in the pool B schedule. Tuesday’s kickoff is 5 p.m. at the Riel Park turf field.
First place is on the line Sunday in the Johnny Bright division between the St. Albert Fury and the Edmonton Blue Seahawks in bantam football. Kickoff is 12:30 p.m. at the Riel Park turf field.
Both teams are undefeated in three games.
Last weekend the Fury tacked up 27 points in the first half against the visiting Camrose Buffaloes and won 41-0. Quarterback Shaydon Philip scored three touchdowns and Seth Waselenchuk had two majors. Felix Mba also made it into the endzone. Nick Cowan kicked five converts.
In three wins the Fury have outscored their opponents 134-12.
