The Barsby Bulldogs junior varsity team won their opening playoff game 58-8 over Windsor. The AA varsity squad will play Robert Bateman in the post season Nov. 27 at BC Place. (Dan Marshall/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Dan Marshall

Playoffs for Barsby

Playoff time for AA varsity, junior teams at John Barsby

Nov 20, 2021 | 10:31 AM

NANAIMO — One Barsby Bulldogs football team got their post season game in as scheduled but another will have to wait.

The junior varsity squad played at home on Wednesday, Nov. 17 and recorded a convincing win over North Vancouver’s Windsor Secondary 58-8.

A road game for the AA varsity team against Robert Bateman in Abbotsford on Friday, Nov. 19 was originally scheduled but the game was postponed until Saturday, Nov. 27 at BC Place.

Rob Stevenson coaches both teams and he said there’s a different feeling on game days come playoff time.

“It’s the finality of it. You’ve got to avoid the temptation to expand your playbook. You’ve got to focus on the things you do really well and double down on them.”

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The junior varsity team went 7-0 and with their playoff win will move on to play either in Burnaby on Nov. 27 or at BC Place on Dec. 4 depending on seeding.

It was a strong year for the AA Bulldogs with a 6-2 record heading into their playoff game.

Stevenson was pleased with both clubs this season after the long COVID-19 layoff.

“It’s about getting better each week and doing the work. We haven’t had a bad week of practice. The kids definitely have bought in to what we’re doing.”

With two different teams both performing at a high level there’s a lot on Stevenson’s plate but each plays the same system to build a sense of continuity.

“All our Grade 10 and 11 players have reps under their belts when we start spring ball in May. If you do that over three or four years there’s a lot of learning and you pick up where you left off the year before.”

Stevenson does have some Grade 10 players who were playing on both the JV and AA teams at different points this season.

There’s a high level of confidence in the two groups with the biggest games of the season on the horizon.

“We’ve been going at it five days a week since August…the players have their reps in and these guys are battle tested.”

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