The Pee Wee Campbell River Eagles hosted the Harewood Dawgs from Nanaimo in what turned out to be a great season opener last Sunday.
The Eagles won the right to start with the ball and came out blazing. Lead by starting quarterback Liam Matilpi they moved the ball down field with some very well executed plays. The first score of the day came on a beautiful run up the middle by starting running back Kristian Drake. The touch down was set up by a very well run reverse by starting tightend Kelly Shannon. A missed convert put the score at 6-0 Eagles.
However, on the pursuing kickoff, the Dawgs returned the ball 70 yards for a score. They made the convert to bring the score to 7-6.
The Eagles offence once again took the field and looked very good moving the ball down field. Drake scored his second touchdown of the day on a 35 yardd sweep to the outside. Once again the Eagles failed on the convert attempt to bring the score to 12-7 for the Eagles.
Not to be outdone, the Harewood Dawgs offence took the field and quickly scored on a sweep to the right. They missed the convert to make the score 13-12 for the Dawgs.
The Eagles showed great determination and proved that they are an offensive powerhouse as on the next possesion they once again came out and moved the ball well. Set up by a well executed fake reverse by quarterback Matilpi, the Eagles were able to take the lead on another run up the middle this time by starting full back Isaac Shillito. After a successful convert the score was 19-13 Eagles.
Now it was up to the Eagles defence. With the clock running down, Harewood took the field and started moving the ball well. They were driving hard when the whistle indicating three
minutes blew. The Eagles defence rose to the occasion and stopped the drive on their own 15 yard line as time ran down. Final score Eagles 19 Dawgs 13.
“I am very proud of the performance of these kids today,” said head coach Kevin Meier. “The offense was unstoppable all day and the defence came up big when they needed to.
“What a way to start off the season.”
The coaches’ MVP of the game was starting running back Drake.
The Pee Wee Eagles have a bye this week, but the Junior Bantams will be in action taking on the Fairview Cowboys this Sunday at Phoenix School Field. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.