On Saturday the Pee Wee Eagles travelled to Ladysmith’s brand new Forrest Field (a beautiful artificial turf field) for their annual football Jamboree.
The Jamboree is designed to get these kids (the majority who have never played football before) a chance to play three “mini-games” of about 35 minutes each, as an introduction to the game.
The first game saw the Eagles take on the Oceanside Lions out of Parksville. The Lions came out on their first posession and quickly scored on a well executed sweep. Not to be outdone, the Eagles’ offense took the field lead by starting quarterback Isaac Shillito. They got off to a slow start but were able to score on the posession with a nicely run tightend reverse by Kristian Drake and some great blocking by Liam Matilpi to tie up the game.
On their next offensive series the Lions were able to come out quickly and score to pull ahead 12-6. The Eagles were able to tie the game up on a well run sweep by Kelly Shannon to tie the game at 12-12.
However, on the next offensive series the Lions were able to once again take the lead and although the Eagles were able to move the ball well on their final series, they were unable to score and the game ended 18-12.
The second game saw the Eagles take on the Harewood Dawgs out of Nanaimo.
The Dawgs won the right to start with the ball and came out blazing, scoring on their first possesion. Once again, the Eagles’ offense was able to take the field and move the ball well. They scored on a beauiful run right up the middle by running back Kelly Shannon.
However, it was not to be as the Dawgs scored again on a later possesion and the final score ended up 12-6.
The final game of the day saw the Eagles tackle the Ladysmith Steelers. The Steelers started with the ball and were able to score on their first possesion.
The Eagles offense took to the field but gave up the ball on an interception by the Steelers.
However, the Eagles were able to get the ball back on the next series with a great fumble recovery.
On their next offensive series, the Eagles moved the ball well on some very nicely executed runs to the outside.
They scored on a reverse by Kristian Drake that once again saw Liam Matilpi throw some key downfield blocks. The Steelers scored on their next offensive possesion and although the Eagles came close, they were just not able to come back. Final score 12-6.
Other outstanding performances came from Ben McIntyre (recording his fist sack of the year), Cole Dumont (with some great running out of the backfield) and Blake Allary (with some great downfield tackling).
“I am very proud of this team” says Coach Kevin Meier. “As we were short on numbers, some of the players were forced to play on both sides of the ball.
“It makes for a very exhausting day of football and although we came up on the short end of all three games, they showed great determination and with a little work on some key areas will be a very good football team.”
The Pee Wee Eagles season opener goes Sunday when they take on the Harewood Dawgs at Phoenix School Field. Kickoff is at 11 am.