The Nanaimo Redmen can identify some of the reasons for their struggles, but they haven’t yet managed to solve the problems.
The city’s Vancouver Mainland Football League midget team lost 28-21 to the North Delta Longhorns on Sunday at May Richards Bennett Pioneer Park. It was the team’s fourth straight single-digit loss.
“Just assignment mistakes,” said Sean Roden, the team’s coach. “We’re not physically being beat, we’re beating ourselves with foolish play … The defence is not in synch. They’re blowing assignments and it’s largely just from not having enough quality reps in practice.”
The Redmen got down 28-7 but continued to battle. They recovered an onside kick that led to their third touchdown, then tried another onside kick with a minute and a half to go but were unsuccessful.
“When we had it together, we made some good plays…” said Roden. “All we can do is keep pushing forward.”
Trent Wright caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Dylan Tucker and Wright also put forth a strong game defensively. Devon Carli scored a six-yard rushing TD and John Evenson scored on a two-yard sweep.
GAME ON … The Redmen (0-4) visit the Coquitlam Falcons (4-0) on Sunday (Sept. 30). The team’s next home game is Oct. 7 when it hosts the Cowichan Bulldogs in a 1 p.m. kickoff at Pioneer Park.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com