The Belmont Bulldogs Junior Varsity football squad paid a visit to the EMCS Wolverines last Thursday afternoon and the beneficiaries were the many football fans who showed up to watch the game.

The crowd had a perfect early-autumn day to enjoy a tightly contested 22-16 Belmont win.

The guests took the opening kickoff and ran four plays to earn a first down in Sooke territory, their first passing attempt was picked off by the lanky Ethan Weddel who was stride-for-stride with the intended receiver. Weddel had the inside position and gratefully accepted the gift which landed right in his grip.

From there it was a bit of a punt-party as both teams struggled to get in gear, trading possessions through much of the first quarter.

Quarterback Alex Wright wasted no time in putting the versatile Skye Robertson to work on running, and short passing plays. The back returned the favour with positive yardage, much of it hard-earned. The hard-charging Jared “Curly” Thompson was another of Wright’s options put to use.

Making it as far as the Belmont 35 the Wolverines would punt the ball away, setting the stage for the appearance of Belmont’s most consistent threat on the day, and most likely the season.

Mixing speed, agility and power, #32 Paul Fletcher popped off a 20-yard scamper that led to a Belmont fumble on the next running play. Curly Thompson came up with the ball.

A methodical drive took Sooke to within a whisker of the Belmont 14-yard line where Tyler Potter just failed to make a catch despite a series of contortions. They gambled and lost on the fourth down play that followed.

The Wolverines defense held firm, forcing Belmont into a punting situation, then blocked the punt.

A series of plays led to a Robertson ramble to the Belmont nine. They would make it as deep as the four before running out of downs.

It was then Fletcher showed what he’s capable of, going around the right end and romping over 90 yards to open the scoring. A two-point conversion attempt would fail and the visitors were up 6-0.

Curly Thompson took the second half kick off and was within one Belmont player of a big gain and possible score, but the bulldog brought him down near midfield. A series ensued that featured a big gainer through the air to Weddel who wound up at the Belmont 17. Robertson took a short pass and bulled his way to the four before Thompson found paydirt on the next play. A two-point convert made it 8-6 for Sooke.

The D then came up big again, forcing Belmont into a bungled punt attempt and coming up with possession at the visitors’ 38.

Wright was alert in snagging a high snap and hit Thompson for a 12-yard gain. A pass interference call on Belmont gave Sooke the ball on the 13. The next play was a scoring pass to Robertson, followed by the sure-handed Weddel grabbing the two-point convert pass for a 16-6 EMCS bulge.

A pivotal sequence followed – starting with a swarming Sooke D creating yet another Belmont fumble. But the Wolverines were denied after driving to the red zone then risking it all on a fourth and goal play whistled dead on their opponents’ deuce.

There was good entertaining action the rest of the way although it was Belmont who had the insurance policy decked out with the number 32.

Paul Fletcher would complete his touchdown hat-trick to round out the scoring. On his second major he first headed left only to find the “no-access” sign hung out by Wolverines. He reversed his route and legged it around the right end, turning on the jets to outdistance his pursuers on a 60-yard sprint.

“First part of the game then into the third quarter, defensively, the guys just weren’t there,” said Belmont co-coach Dave Bennett after the win.

“These guys (Sooke) really brought their “A” game and taught our guys a lesson.”

Asked about Fletcher, Bennett grinned and said, “he’s a running stud, isn’t he?”

Fletcher himself said his team had too much confidence coming in, and was lucky to come around in time to earn the victory.

“We came in thinking we were going to walk over this team,” said Fletcher. “We have to get our heads in the next game.”

“I told the team at the beginning this game would be won by one touchdown, said Sooke coach Matt Mortenson who heaped credit on every member of his team for it’s effort after two very tough outings – against Mission and John Barsby.

Ethan Weddel was disappointed like the rest of his mates, but felt good after the game.

“It was a really close game,” said the receiver. “We played well, and that 32, Paulie, he did a good job. It was just good play by both teams... a tough loss.”

The Wolverines next take to the road for an October 11 tilt versus Vanier.

Divisional standings as of Friday were:

John Barsby - 4-0

Nanaimo - 3-1

Belmont - 2-1

Timberline - 2-1

GP Vanier - 2-2

Ballenas - 1-2

EMCS - 1-2

Isfeld - 0-4

Parkland - 0-2