Barsby beat NDSS as high school football got started with an all-Nanaimo showdown.
The John Barsby Bulldogs defeated the Nanaimo District Islanders 35-14 this past Friday in the Kocher Classic varsity football game at Merle Logan Field. It was the first exhibition game for both squads, which will compete in different conferences this year as the Isles have moved up to AAA.
“Our team played as a team, t-e-a-m with capital letters,” said Rob Stevenson, Barsby coach. “Very unselfish, a lot of contributors… We’ve got a shorter bench than we’re used to, so there was a lot of ironmen out there, guys that didn’t leave the field, played both ways and special teams.”
Nate Stevenson, NDSS coach, credited Barsby, but also said his Islanders made too many mistakes.
“We used this exhibition game to see that things need to be at a quicker pace and see live what we have been learning this summer,” he said in a press release.
Barsby quarterback Cameron Wright threw for 159 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Ethan Laing caught two TD passes, Zachary Taylor caught one and Steen Rasmussen and Kole Postema had rushing TDs. Andrew Ranftal led the defence with eight tackles and a sack and Kaden Browne also had a sack.
For NDSS, quarterback Clayton Hennessy scored both his team’s touchdowns on one-yard keepers. The defence was led by Conner Maddison who made five tackles. Donovan Davidson-Collie had a sack.
GAME ON … The Bulldogs are home again this Friday (Sept. 15) to face Samuel Robertson Technical at 1:45 p.m. at Merle Logan Field. The Islanders are on the road that day to take on Spectrum.