The Barsby Bulldogs are looking to cross another opponent off of their playoff to-do list.
The AA varsity ’Dawgs take to the football field this Saturday (Nov. 16) to face the Holy Cross Crusaders at Merle Logan Field in the provincial quarter-finals.
The Bulldogs are coming off a dominant 55-7 win over the Pitt Meadows Marauders in last Saturday’s playoff game at Merle Logan Field.
Even though the scoreboard says that the ’Dawgs won easily, they know this is the time of year when the games are toughest.
“It’s basically another season…” said Brandon Parker, Barsby running back. “You start getting more focused, practices get more intense and basically you’ve got to focus more and go harder.”
The Crusaders advanced to the quarterfinals on the strength of a 32-0 shutout win over Valleyview last weekend.
Shawn Arabsky, Bulldogs defensive back, said Holy Cross is a physical team, but said Barsby will try to do the same things that have worked against other opponents.
“We just grind on people,” he said. “Our offence grinds, our defence punishes people so by the third and fourth quarters, the other team’s a lot more tired.”
Against Pitt, Kyle Vollet led the ’Dawgs with two rushing touchdowns and also scored a major on an interception return. Parker, Cole Virtanen and Chance MacKay-Topley also scored rushing TDs and Justin Cook caught a TD pass from Brody Taylor.
Parker Bowles made 10 tackles and Blair Gould, Arabsky, Sheldon Robertson and Vollet had picks.
GAME ON … This Saturday’s kickoff is 1 p.m. and admission is free.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com