Spartans Defeat Tougher Bulldogs Team
Friday night saw the Spartans defeat the Bulldogs 47 - 0.
Despite being shutout it was a markedly improved and tougher Bulldogs team that took to the field in Kinsmen Moose Jaw Minor Football League U12 action.
Defensively the Bulldogs came with their A team to start the game.
“We came out flying. That’s exactly what we wanted the kids to do. I don’t blame anything on the remainder of the game about what happened in the first half,” Josh Sigurdson Bulldogs head coach said, adding “this is about getting better and making sure when we get in the playoffs it’s a different script.”
The Bulldogs played strong only having the game fall apart later in the second half.
Bulldogs Jensen Alexanderson chases down the ball - MJ Independent photo
“I think we’re getting there. It’s tough to say as they are so new. They are just learning. But I think we’re getting there. I think we’re so close it’s almost painful how close we are.”
He spoke about the play of Jacob Mayes - a player who had never played football before - who was out on the field, playing well, and enjoying the game.
“Two losses in a row like this obviously sting but I’m not making anything out of it,” Sigurdson said.
“The Lions and the Spartans are good teams. They are coached very well like we are. They just have that veteran effect that we don’t.”
The team is looking forward to hitting the road in the near future.
A play is made by the Spartans - MJ Independent photo
Spartans head coach Brock Montgomery said “it was good. It was a lot of fun. The kids maybe didn’t have as much fun playing in the rain. But the kids were playing their buddies. It was a good fun game.”
About the Bulldogs Montgomery said they are a good team.
“It just comes down to little things when it is U12 football. We scored early and that seemed to keep a little bit of momentum.”
Montgomery mentioned the strength of the Bulldogs defense and how it showed itself on the field.
“The teams get better each week and hopefully the Bulldogs will get ready for the finals,” he said.
At the Spartans bench - MJ Independent photo
Asked about the Spartans progress so far this season Montgomery said from the initial practices in August the team had made great advances.
“We keep getting better all of the time. We keep working and saw it all come together tonight,” he said. “I’m happy with them. They put in the work at practice and it’s beginning to show….they have fun together at practice.’
Montgomery said the place where the Spartans show the most strength is that they had ran with 10-year-olds last year on offence and most of those kids are back this year planes 11-year-olds.
Thomas Jamieson and Roman Babich were pointed out as anchors for the Spartans defence adding a lot of strength.
“They’re familiar with the things we do and they’re bringing the other kids along.”
