Lions Leash Bulldogs

Being a returning champ can be tough.

Being returning champ with a majority of young new players can be tougher.

Finding a silver lining isn’t easy but it’s the little things like having fun and enthusiasm to play a full game is what greeted the Bulldogs on Saturday evening.

The defending U12 champs fell 56 - 0 against the Lions in Kinsmen Moose Jaw Minor Football league action.

“It’s just another game. Obviously it’s more sour as it’s a rematch from last year’s championship. We’ve just got to learn and take it as a learning game and move on,” Bulldogs head coach Josh Sigurdson said.

Despite the loss the young Bulldogs team - Sigurdson estimates 85 percent of the team’s players are new this season - has lots of new talent that just needs development and polishing.

The Lions’ Clark Alexander (right) is hunted down by the Bulldogs’ Declan Williams - MJ Independent photo

Despite being dominated by the Lions the Bulldogs never gave up to defeatism.

“We don’t want players to lay their heads down, especially in a big game because it’s U12. It’s all about having fun.”

“It doesn’t matter the score just get out there, do your job and have fun,” he said.

Sigurdson said “I’m super proud the way this team has come” in their development.

“I’m very excited for what we have in store.”

Despite being largely a class of rookies he said he is very happy with the players that are coming in for the Bulldogs.

“The quarterback is a rookie Jensen Alexanderson. On defence Jace Smith he is flying around. Guys like that are definitely putting the future of the Bulldogs in good hands.”

The Bulldogs’ Jensen Alexanderson tries to get around the Lions defense - MJ Independent photo

For Lions’ head coach Kellyn Bollinger the cats are lucky enough to have a good veteran presence this season.

“I think they stepped up tonight and showed what they could do,” Bollinger said.

The Lions have ten veterans this season just shy of 50 percent of their 24 player roster.

Having so many veterans return really helps the Lions especially in key positions, such as quarterback and running backs.

“Those key positions have guys who have done it for a year and kind of got the nerves out of their system it’s very helpful,” he said.

Going from a loss last week to the Spartans to a win this week versus the Bulldogs is a full reversal.

They’re not the team they were last week but also the type of game they played is different, he said.

“The Bulldogs came out here and gave everything they’ve got. We just had a little bit more success moving the ball.”

As the game progressed the Lions would go to the air more than they had in the first half as they tried to get more of their players catches in the game.

Bollinger said he was happy with how the quarterback played as many passes connected.

“The players are coming along great. This group is giving just an amazing effort every time they step on the field.”