Maybe the Barsby Bulldogs juniors weren’t taking that big a risk, after all.
John Barsby Community Secondary School’s junior varsity football team defeated the Argyle Pipers 56-0 on Wednesday in a playoff challenge game at Merle Logan Field.
The JV ’Dawgs – desperate to play football after opponent forfeits – organized the game, putting their playoff lives on the line when they didn’t have to.
“At first we were a little shaky about it, but we stand by coach and we were up for the challenge,” said Kyle Vollet, who scored three touchdowns on Wednesday. “We like that we finally had a game.”
Barsby coach Rob Stevenson was so thankful to Argyle for coming to play the game that he got a bit choked up in post-game interviews.
“They had a choice to end their season or come over and play some football against a team they knew was a pretty exceptional football team and they did that,” he said. “That’s just special.”
The game itself was a mismatch. Aside from Vollet’s hat trick of touchdowns, Brody Taylor had a TD throw and a TD run and Brandon Parker rushed for two major scores. Dejon Lynch and Justin Cook had the other touchdowns.
Defensively, Tristan Slotte had two sacks, a fumble recovery and four tackles and Tyler Harvey had five tackles and a fumble recovery. Sheldon Robertson had a fumble recovery and a sack and Cole Smith intercepted a pass.
Even though the Bulldogs didn't get tested with a close game, Vollet pointed out that's been the case all year long.
"Something that we've really been focusing on all year is intensity and focus and you've just got to keep that through the entire game," he said.
Stevenson said that's exactly what he looks for from his guys, so the game was a useful exercise.
"We spent a lot of time practising, hitting each other…" he said. "You get better by playing. We got some game experience; we feel like we've been in a bit of a dust-up now."
GAME ON … Next action for the JV’Dawgs is Wednesday (Nov. 16) at 3 p.m. at Merle Logan Field against a to-be-determined team.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com