BCI Red Rams put up defensive wall against SFDCI to advance to National Capital Bowl
Posted Nov 26, 2009 By Roy Lewis
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EMC Sports - A strong offence and defence led the Brockville Collegiate Institute (BCI) Red Rams football team to a 12-1 win over Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute (SFDCI) RedHawks in the high school AA football semi-final championship in Brockville on Nov. 21.
Roy Lewis, Smiths Falls EMC
Putting forth a strong offence, a Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute RedHawks player managed to deflect this pass to a Brockville Collegiate Institute Red Ram player in the Smiths Falls end zone blocking a chance to score during the semi-final game between the two AA football teams.
The win means the Red Rams will now advance to the final playoff in the AA National Capital Bowl to be held in Peterborough this Saturday.
While both teams worked hard during the game, the Brockville squad slowly advanced in scoring over the RedHawks. Smiths Falls was first on the scoreboard when, about seven minutes into the first quarter, they scored one point after the Red Rams were unable to get the ball out of their end.
But the BCI squad held the Red Hawks to that one point throughout the remainder of the game. BCI scored on a touchdown and conversion in the first quarter, a field goal in the third quarter and on a safety in the fourth quarter.
"My players have nothing to be ashamed of," said Paul Cauley, coach of the Red Hawks.
He noted that his team had already won two championship games before the semi-final against the Red Rams. Cauley was confident his team was ready for the contest against BCI and was pleased with the defence put up by his team.
But he also noted BCI was playing both a good offensive and defensive game, which proved the undoing of his team. A field goal in the third quarter by the Red Rams pushed the score to 10-1, which tipped the game to their advantage.
"Once they achieved the double digit score, I knew we would have a very difficult time to catch them," said Cauley.
"BCI certainly deserved the win for they played very well," said Cauley.
The win will mark the first time the BCI Rams have advanced to the final championship in the National Capital Bowl which includes high school football teams east of Toronto in the AA division involving schools with between 400 and 900 students.
"It is an exciting win and the kids have worked very hard," said BCI coach Pete Atkinson.
He said the Red Rams had advanced to the semi-final series about six years ago before being defeated by Perth. "We knew Smiths Falls would not allow big plays or sustained drives," said Atkinson.
Even so, Atkinson said he "would have liked one more touchdown in the game."
Atkinson singled out two players on his team who contributed greatly to the victory. His punter, Aiden McPharland, made several good kicks including what turned out to be the key field goal from the 16 yard line in the third quarter that boosted the team's point total to 10.
Atkinson also praised linebacker and quarterback Jake Fawcett "who made key catches and tackles and did yeoman service for the team."
Atkinson is well aware his team will face a formidable challenge at the finals this Saturday when they play against Adam Scott High School, the defending champions of the National Capital Bowl.
