Cowichan’s Finn Shea runs in a touchdown against the Oceanside Lions during the Bulldogs’ 51-0 win in the Island semifinal. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

Cowichan’s Finn Shea runs in a touchdown against the Oceanside Lions during the Bulldogs’ 51-0 win in the Island semifinal. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

JB Bulldogs bound for Island title game

Cowichan routs Oceanside in semifinal

The Cowichan Bulldogs are off to the Vancouver Island junior bantam football championship game after dispatching the Oceanside Lions handily at McAdam Park last Saturday.

“This game put us one step closer to achieving our goal,” Cowichan head coach PJ Shea said. “We are proud of what they have already accomplished, and determined to finish the season strong.”

The Bulldogs won 51-0 over an athletic Oceanside that had trouble dealing with the Cowichan players’ size, experience and physicality. The Bulldogs dominated all aspects of the game, scoring on offence, defence and special teams.

Running back and middle linebacker Finn Shea was particularly emblematic of that dominance as he scored a rushing touchdown, returned an interception to score, and scored twice on punt returns, as well as throwing for a touchdown. Speedster Drake Spong also got in on the scoring, and Jesse Kwasny had a touchdown reception and kicked a 30-yard field goal.

The junior bantam Bulldogs will face the Ladysmith Steelers for the Island championship in Nanaimo on Monday.

The midget Cowichan Bulldogs will be in action at home this Sunday at 1 p.m., hosting the Pemberton Grizzlies in the provincial nine-man semifinals.

Cowichan Valley Citizen