The Belmont Bulldogs have come a long way since starting out on the lowest rung of the high school football ladder in 2006.
Regardless of their solid 3-3 record in their first year playing at the AAA level in 2013, the highest in the province, thereB次元官网网址檚 always going to be the inevitable comparisons to the boys in purple across town.
Bulldogs head coach Alexis Sanschagrin, who joined the program four years ago, has as good a measuring stick as anyone. He spent the previous five years coaching the purple-clad Mount Douglas Rams.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e basically in the same spot Mount Doug was in five years ago,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淚f we keep doings things right and keep improving, weB次元官网网址檙e going to be more and more competitive every year,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of very good athletes out here. Now weB次元官网网址檙e confident that weB次元官网网址檙e offering a good product and kids on the West Shore have a great alternative to commuting and travelling across town to play.B次元官网网址�
As the Bulldogs prepare to open training camp Monday (Aug. 20) at Goudy Field for its junior and senior teams B次元官网网址� the teacherB次元官网网址檚 strike will prevent Sanschagrin, a teacher at Arbutus middle school, from participating B次元官网网址� the people who have built the program can look back and feel good about its evolution.
Not only is the senior varsity team becoming more of a factor in B.C., individual players are getting recognized for their abilities. This summer Dontae Bull, Tanner Hayward and Darian Jules represented B.C. at the under-16 Red River Cup in Winnipeg. Three more: lineman Kolton Henderson, quarterback Brendan Holland and tight end Edgar Nelson are shortlisted for the U18 B.C. team B次元官网网址� Sanschagrin is defensive co-ordinator B次元官网网址� that will play at the U.S. Army International Bowl in San Antonio over Christmas break.
Belmont grads linebacker Tristen Forish (UBC Thunderbirds) and linebacker/running back Sam Varao (Regina Huskies) will attend university on scholarships this fall.
B次元官网网址淚n the last couple years, Belmont has stepped up and become a much better team, one recognized by colleges as a team to watch,B次元官网网址� says Clancy Keoughan, equipment manager and strength coach. HeB次元官网网址檚 worked with a core group of 15 to 20 players whoB次元官网网址檝e been doing strength training this summer. B次元官网网址淭he amount of effort thatB次元官网网址檚 gone into it by some of these boys has been just amazing.B次元官网网址�
Students from Belmont, Spencer or Dunsmuir middle schools or John Stubbs elementary interested in playing this fall are encouraged to sign up. Experience is not necessary and equipment is provided, all players need is appropriate footwear.
For the practice schedule and other inquiries, contact Sanschagrin at coach.alexis.s@gmail.com or 250-818-8253.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
