Two teams with high hopes for these playoffs are going to take the field, and only one will be left standing.
The Barsby Bulldogs take on the Abbotsford Panthers this Saturday (Nov. 21) in Nanaimo in B.C. High School Football’s AA varsity quarterfinals.
“We’re going to be playing definitely one of the top three teams in the whole province, a team that’s beat some of the really good AAA squads,” said Rob Stevenson, Bulldogs coach.
Barsby is coming off a 77-0 win in its playoff opener against Moscrop, but Abby is also riding high after dismantling Pitt Meadows 57-8.
Abbotsford boasts star player Chase Claypool, bound for the NCAA’s Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
“Abbotsford has a tremendous surrounding cast. It’s not just that one athlete,” Stevenson said. “A very good defence, offensive line’s superb, receivers, it’s pick your poison. We have to be complete and as mistake-free as we can.”
He said this week’s test will be a big step up physically. And mentally – last week’s eye-catching shutout win doesn’t change Barsby’s mindset, said Doyle Sosnowski, defensive lineman.
“No it does not. We’re working harder than everybody out there and we know it and they know it, and we’re just ready to go play whoever wants to play us,” he said. “We had a good game, but we’re going to practise harder than last week and we’re going to keep ourselves together.”
In other Barsby football news, the junior varsity ’Dawgs are, coincidentally, also matched up against the Abbotsford Panthers this week, except that game will be played in the Fraser Valley today.
“That will be our true test this year so far,” said Matt Heinrichs, coach of the junior Bulldogs.
He said he had been scouting Abby even before the playoffs started in anticipation of the matchup.
“So we’re going to put a game plan together for them and see how we can rally it up,” he said.
GAME ON … The AA varsity Bulldogs face the Panthers on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Merle Logan Field.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com