An ill quarterback and a hobbling tailback handicapped the Cowichan Bantam Bulldogs in a Vancouver Mainland Football League game crucial to their playoff chances.

Playing without starter Gobind Sall, the Bulldogs pressed Ryan MacDonald into service at quarterback.

“He’s never practiced there,’’ Cowichan coach Doug (Opie) Williams said of MacDonald.

“He did what I asked him. There was a lot more available to us we just didn’t do.’’

Cowichan gave the ball to tailback Blake Torok-Both most of the time, but he came up limping that curtailed his effectiveness during the fourth quarter.

Despite their limitations, the Bulldogs hung tough against the South Delta Rams in an eventual 28-20 defeat Sunday at McAdam Park that essentially ended their playoff hopes.

“We’re not mathematically out, but we’re pretty much out,’’ said Williams.

The ‘Dogs have one regular-season game remaining Sunday at 1 p.m. at McAdam Park against the Victoria Spartans.

Fullback Brady Radcliffe scored the lone touchdown, as the ‘Dogs went into the fourth quarter of their game against South Delta trailing 14-6.

That’s when the game opened up and Torok-Both broke a long run to the outside for a TD to begin the fourth quarter. The ‘Dogs tied it with a two-point convert.

South Delta’s power runner Kyle Menzies answered immediately with a TD run that was countered just as quickly by Radcliffe’s second TD of the game on short yardage.

The ‘Dogs went for the two-point convert to try and take the lead, but it failed and the Rams wrapped up the win with another TD.

“It was a back and forth game,’’ said Williams.

“The guys showed a lot of heart — they never gave up. A couple of key blocks were missed and it makes a big difference. We were in this game the whole time.’’

Peewees, Junior Bantams win

Cowichan Peewee Bulldogs played their final game of the season on Halloween and scared the daylights out of the Victoria Spartans, saving their best for last in a 44-0 victory.

Every member of the team played a strong game, led by quarterback Jarom Erickson, who completed TD passes to Grant Lutters and Braemon Conville.

The defence formed a wall and didn’t allow the Spartans to move the ball.

Karl Mattison tackled like a demon and stripped the ball once for a TD. The defensive line was anchored by Zach Kiedaisch and Lutters to the outside and Keegan Ramsay and Riley Whelan inside.

Cowichan’s Junior Bantam Bulldogs rolled past Nanaimo 36-7 to set up a playoff date with the Victoria Spartans.

The addition of Brock Gowanlock made the offensive line a force. Albert Hopkins-Louie played like a pro, opening holes for running back Eric Williams and Riley Caljouw. The Doomsday defence came up big after allowing the first TD and shut down the passing game.