The John Barsby Bulldogs AA varsity football team brings balance on offence and defence as they travel to Abbotsford to take on number three ranked Robert Bateman in a BC High School Football quarterfinal on Nov. 15. (John Barsby Secondary)

By Dan Marshall

Playoff Time

Barsby Bulldogs hit the road for AA varsity quarterfinal game

Nov 15, 2024 | 10:09 AM

NANAIMO — The John Barsby Bulldogs are playing in a BC high school football quarterfinal game in Abbotsford.

The AA varsity team will be an underdog against the number three team in the province when they take the field on Friday, Nov. 15 at 3 p.m.

Barsby coach Rob Stevenson said it’s been a fall of growth for his 5-3 team who have been working together since mid August.

“We’ve gotten better every week with a few setbacks on and off the field. Our number twos have stepped up and it’s become quite competitive across the roster. I’m happy with their development and I really like their resiliency.”

With a balanced roster Stevenson said opposing teams can’t just key on one area of the Bulldogs game.

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“We don’t really have a strength at any given position. We’re pretty consistent up front with our line, our receivers, our defensive backs and our offensive backfield. I think defensively most games this year we have over performed. We have to play complimentary football with our defense, our offense and our special teams and by and large we’ve managed to do that.”

It’s a do or die game for John Barsby but Stevenson said the approach doesn’t change much from the regular season to the playoffs.

“What you have to do is go with the horse that brought you there. Don’t get too thick of a playbook and actually add by subtracting. Make sure you’re taking care of the things you’re actually going to use. You need to use your practice time wisely and be ready for situational football.”

The John Barsby junior varsity team recently won their quarterfinal game with a 41-21 home field win over Mount Douglas.

They’ll await the results of other JV playoff games before they determine who and when then they’ll play next.

Stevenson is very proud of the work put in by the junior varsity players and coaches this season.

“Our junior varsity is a superb team. Last year they had only four tenth graders so about 25 guys came back off a quarterfinal year. They’re a very strong team and very balanced. That team is really poised to go on a run.

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