April 8, 2017 Langford, BC (ISN) – The Westshore Warriors Junior Bantam football team jumped out to a 36-8 half time lead over the visiting Cowichan Bulldogs, and cruised on to a 57-22 win in second week, Greater Victoria Minor Football action at Westhills Stadium Saturday afternoon.
For the sophomore Warriors it is their second win in as many games in the young season putting up an average 52 points against their opponents. Conversely, the Bulldogs, still looking for their first win of the season, showed glimpses of the talent on their team with the resiliency and grit to take 22 points from, what some might agree, could be one of two top tier teams in the league this season. In their first two losses of season, the Bulldogs pulled the unenviable draw to play both of those highest scoring teams in the Warriors and the Saanich Wolverines.
Warrior’s Hunter Bowles would not only lead his team as field general in the absence of starting QB Simon Hales, but also on the stat sheet, as he would lead all Warrior players running for three TD’s out of back field. Content most games to keep the ball on the ground, using his legs in a successful running attack, Bowles would also connect through the air, throwing four TD passes in a combined game style reminiscent to a Westshore Rebels alumni player in another “Hunter”, Hunter Lake.
Cowichan’s utility player, Jordan Russell, would be kept busy on both sides of the ball. Russell, running for all three Cowichan majors, would also be tasked, in part, with defending against the Warrior run. An unenviable task for any team, Russell would do a yeoman’s job at running down the Westshore ground game, keeping pressure on the Warriors O-line in protection of Bowles.
Both sides would spar in the opening minutes. Westshore would hit Cowichan with the first points on the scoreboard, going up by a two-touchdown lead. Brennan Blondeau would return the opening kick off to set the Bulldogs back. Hunter Bowles would add to the score with a 40-yard scamper through traffic to break free for the 12-0 lead.
Cowichan’s Jordan Russell, not to feel left out, would equal Blondeau’s kickoff return feat, returning the Warrior’s kickoff 60 yards to pull close 12-7.
Cowichan would find glimmers of success moving the ball through the Westshore defensive front line at times with the ball in the hands of Russell early in the second quarter. Warriors’ Khang Chau would play big, limiting the Cowichan Bulldogs momentum and advance up field.
Hunter Bowles would spot Noah McMillian streaking down the Cowichan sideline early in the second quarter. Hauling down the long bomb over his shoulder, McMillian would carry the ball to the house untouched. Bowles would toss two more strikes to Jaxon Roorda and Caz Overbury to go up 36-8 at halftime.
The Bulldogs would come out strong defensively to start the third quarter of play, taking some wind out of the Warriors sails. Appearing quicker to the ball, the Bulldogs would hold the Westshore team for small gains, only allowing the Warriors to the house once in the third quarter on a another scamper by Hunter Bowles, this time from 40 yards out to increase the lead.
The Bulldogs and Warriors would trade touchdowns in the final frame, as offense would seem to get the better of both sides defensive crew. The Bulldog’s Jordan Russell, the beneficiary of a first quarter TD, would score his second and third to round out the Bulldog scoring. Hunter Bowles would score another for the home team, once again taking off with the ball from behind the line of scrimmage. In a positional change, Noah McMillian would take the ball behind his centre, throwing on a slant to Jaxon Roorda one last time, sending him to the end zone as time expired, capping off an impressive home field, 57-22 win.
The Westshore Warriors will enjoy a bye weekend over the Easter break, while the Cowichan Bulldogs will host the Victoria Spartans on Saturday, April 15th at 11:30 am at McAdam Park.
