With a home and home series against the scowling Cowichan Bulldogs,Village Foods Sooke Seahawks pre-atoms (7-10 year olds) came out on top with a nailbiter of a game in action last week.
Austin Cavan (defensive player of the game) led his linemen including Caleb Carrier, Cale (the horse) Vix, Jacob Lamontagne and Spencer Logan, holding back the Bulldogs’ rushing game. After a few failed sweeps and reverses foiled by d-backs and ends, Quinn Macdonald, Ian Macdonald, Simon Herold, Kieran Franklin and Grayson Hoolaeff, the Bulldogs scored a touchdown. The convert was stymied by intensive defense coached by Kent Cross and led by Louis-Philipe Gagnon, Tyler Umbach and sensational play by Ben Power.
The game continued to flow with running back Simon Herold twisting and turning his way to a 20-yard gain. Lots of hand-offs were delivered to to newcomer running-back Caleb Carrier. On their 30 yard line a criss-cross play called by first-year offensive coach Pat Letemier ended up with the quarterback weaving and bobbing his way into the endzone. The conversion was made by Spencer (Thunder) Logan having his competent lineman clearing a path for him to stroll in untouched. The final two plays of the game had Cowichan’s star runner rushing for 30 yards before defensive player of the game Austin Cavan gave a incredible chase and shoved him out of bounds. On the next play the crafty Bulldogs pulled a reverse and sent in another running back, however, DB and player extrordinaire Simon Herold tackled him at the two yard line to end the game with a 7-6 Sooke victory. Next game is on the road vs Peninsula.
–Andy Carrier
The Handcraft Woodworks Sooke Seahawk Atom football team is getting noticed as a contender this season. The Seahawks are now three wins and only one loss after pummeling the Cowichan Bulldogs last Thursday by a 38-6 score. The offense finally got into rhythym putting five touchdowns on the board while the mighty Seahawk defense again only surrendered one.
Andrew Abell and Alec MacKenzie played their best games of their young careers and dominated the game.
Abell had one touchdown plus many strong runs and tackled everything that moved. MacKenzie also had a touchdown plus many solid tackles and kicked four two point conversions.
Other touchdowns were scored by Nick Pollock, Jacob Laliberty and Richard Innes. First year player Innes is developing into a well-rounded football player, running well, blocking well and tackling everyone.
Other first year players getting noticed are Dalton Franche who continually worked hard blocking one, two and sometimes three Cowichan players on the same play, Kieran Neilson blocked well on the offensive line as did Conner Ward.
First year wide receivers Tyler Scheubel and Tie Boake are making big blocks on the outside runs for Sooke. Boake also ran the ball for his first time, cutting and weaving his way for a 20-yard gain. Other notables on offense were fullbacks Jordan Schutt and Cole Johns who both pounded the ball up the middle for solid gains on every play. Another big reason for the teams success is the work of Ky Berger, Tyson Bastone, Randy Ross, Bailey Mcmillan and Spencer Leslie on the offensive line. Zac Bedford and Robbie Lowerison continue to shine on defense.
Next up for the Atoms is a Wednesday night game against the defending champion Saanich Wolverines.
–Darryl Pollock