Bulldogs bite Hawks late for U12 title

   Three fourth quarter TDs carry Bulldogs to a 25-13 win in the LMFA final  

  November 7, 2022

By Rob J. Ross

LONDON, Ont. - The Bulldogs showed their bite in the fourth quarter.

The Bulldogs scored three touchdowns in the final quarter, to defeat the St. Thomas Hawks, 25-13, in the London Minor Football Association U12 final, at City Wide Sports Fields.

St. Thomas led 7-6, at half-time and held the lead into the fourth quarter.

Then the Bulldogs took a 12-7 lead, before grabbing the game's momentum thanks to their defence producing a touchdown.

With the Hawks looking to regain the lead, Bulldogs' Cooper Adamovich stripped the ball and took it the other way for a TD, putting his team up 18-7.

Two minutes later, the Bulldogs were in command, 25-7.

"They got a couple breaks to get up on us," Hawks' head coach Patrick DesRosiers said. "They stripped it, but there was lots of time still. We did what we could and we kept battling right to the end. We didn't give up."

The Hawks did respond with a touchdown, followed by a successful on-side kick, but couldn't pull any closer.

"Three quarters of that game, we played our game," DesRosiers said. "We chipped away, four yards at a time and got those first downs. We had the momentum, but in football, those type of things happen. You just have to keep battling."

Quinton Herbert and Kieran McCready had the Hawks touchdowns and Logan Gardner, a point after convert.

"From day one to the championship, we've climbed the ladder," said DesRosiers. "The players always showed up. We always had full practices. They always worked hard and always got better.

St. Thomas finished the regular season, at 5-2 and won their semifinal, but coach is still seeking a title.

"I've lost in the final every time, but I'm glad we make it here," said DesRosiers. "Kudos to the Bulldogs. They're a good football team. Congratulations to them."

The Bulldogs were the top team during the regular season, with a 6-1 record.

"All season we've been bend don't break on defence," Bulldogs' head coach Jason Kerr said. "We've had four or five games that were one score games. We talked to the players a lot about fourth quarters and why we do conditioning."

Adamovich's forced fumble, that he took to the house for six, turned the tide for the Bulldogs.

"We've been coaching the players about grabbing the ball, going after the ball," said Kerr. "So a blitz up the middle and he snagged it and a way he went. That broke it wide open."

Tyson Gabrielle had two touchdowns, the first on a pass from Peyton Henson and Ethan Martin, had one TD.

Finalists a year ago at U10, the U12 team had six players move up, six return and the remainder were new to the game.

"It's pretty remarkable that they caught on and the way we went," Kerr said.