The Barsby Bulldogs and Nanaimo District Islanders get physical during last year’s Kocher Classic AA varsity football game at NDSS field. This year’s matchup is Friday (Oct. 10) at John Barsby’s home field.
Email
Print
Letter to Editor
ShareIslanders push, shove for yardage
Published: October 08, 2008 3:00 PMUpdated: October 08, 2008 5:44 PM
NDSS Islanders games have been exciting during the pre-season – maybe a bit too exciting.
The AA varsity football team has been able to put up a lot of points, but it’s also given up a lot of points.
“Teams haven’t been able to stop us,” said Nate Stevenson, assistant coach. “But conversely, on defence, we haven’t done a whole bunch on that side of the football.”
Offensively, Nanaimo District is sticking to the usual game plan. It features a double-wing formation with multiple rushing threats on every down.
Tyler Sherwood and Bill Sadlemyer are the two wingbacks, while Dan Baxter and Francis Martel will also get carries at the fullback position.
The assistant coach said his offence will be happy with three yards per carry, and will be willing to fight opponents for every one of those yards.
“If they want to come in the phone booth with us and start pushing around, we’d be more than happy to,” he said.
Handing off the ball will be Grade 11 quarterback Taylor McLeod, who doesn’t make many mistakes.
Basically, everyone else on offence blocks. The offensive line suffered a blow with the recent injury to leader Adam Barrie, so Stevenson said he’ll be counting on a guy like 6-foot-1, 235-pound Mitch Stuart to step up and take a leadership role on the O-line.
The defence has some guys with big-play potential, but Stevenson said the unit just hasn’t gelled through pre-season play.
u See ‘ISLAND’ /24
u From /23
Defensive end Matt Christie leads the D-line, with Sherwood, Baxter and Pat Poynter anchoring the linebacking corps. The defensive backfield is inexperienced, but Stevenson said Adam Smith and Eric Stevens have shown an aptitude for learning the position.
Special teams will be important to any success, said Stevenson.
He thinks the punting and kicking game can be a team strength, and the return game is always crucial in creating a short field to work with.
“It’s a lot easier to run the ball 40 yards than it is 80 yards without a turnover or a penalty,” he said.
Stevenson said the physical style of play in B.C.’s Van Isle Conference gives teams the right kind of preparation for playoff success.
Right now, it’s all about getting there.
“It’s going to be rough and tumble every single week. I wouldn’t say any team’s out of contention…” Stevenson said. “If we work for it, it’s going to be promising.”
sports@nanaimobulletin.com
