It may be their first year, but a new local football team is keeping up with the big boys.
The Lakeside Bombers, based in Watson, hosted the Porcupine Plain Bears in six-man football action on October 8. The Bombers are playing their first year of organized football, but it was hard to tell watching them on the field.
Lakeside jumped out to an early lead, thanks to a 60-plus yard run that put them up 12-8 early in the first quarter.
After a couple of fumbles that no one could capitalize on, the Bombers took the lead into the second quarter. The Bears took over the lead with a passing play that put them up 14-12.
Watson worked the ball down the field on their next possession, but the Bears' defensive line kept them out of the end zone on three successive tries from close range.
Porcupine Plain took advantage of their next possession, using a combination of passing, then a quarterback run to increase their lead to 20-12 to end the half.
The Bears came out strong in the second half, scoring another touchdown early on to give them a 28-12 lead.
The Bombers Brendon Wray knocked down a pass to stop another Bears' drive, but there was no other scoring in the third quarter.
The fourth quarter saw the Bombers take control on the field. An interception near mid-field was converted to a Bomber TD, thanks to several runs and a final effort by Blake Nordick who ran it in from about the 35-yard line.
With the gap closed to eight points, Lakeside managed another interception thanks to the defence pressuring the Bears' quarterback.
The Bombers took possession around their own 40 yard line, but two penalties in a row forced them back about 20 yards. Not giving up, Lakeside used a fancy pass and lateral run play to score another touchdown from deep in their own end.
With the score at 28-26 for the visitors, Lakeside had another chance to score, but couldn't get in from the Bears' two-yard line before the whistle sounded to end the game.
While the Bombers were on the bottom half of a 28-26 score, Lakeside coach Mike Saretsky was ecstatic about his team's play.
"We played the best game we've ever played," he said. "What you have to remember, is that five games ago, none of these players had played a snap of football. The turnaround is amazing."
But, the team does have to work on their plays, as penalties hurt them several times, stalling drives, he said.
"The penalties were a little tough," Saretsky admitted.
But he did have words of praise for three players who made a big difference in the game.
"Zach Schreiner, the centre, has been solid all year," Saretsky said. "He's our long snapper."
Linebacker Anthony Talbot also contributed to the team's play, scoring a couple of touchdowns and making his presence felt on special teams, he said.
Dave Veilleux, who drives from Rose Valley every day and doesn't miss a practice, was also an important part of the game, Saretsky said.
Saretsky also pointed out the kicking of Jacob Reifferscheid, an import from Australia who used to play rugby.
"The ball, for the point after, has to touch the ground and is usually held, but Jacob can kick the ball at the moment it hits the ground," he explained. "This was the second time he's kicked for us and gotten us two points this season."
While the Bombers are 0-5 so far this season, Saretsky is looking forward to the next couple of years.
"This was our closest game, but we've been thrown in with all veteran teams," he explained. "We have mostly (Grade) 9s and 10s starting this year, in a year or two we will have lots of experience."
The Bombers' next game is on October 15 when they host Hudson Bay. The game will cap off a day of activities, including the Drive One 4 UR School fund-raising event at Watson School, noted Lindsay Perry, Watson School principal and Bomber manager.
The test drives of Ford vehicles, courtesy of Discovery Ford in Humboldt, will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with football starting at 4 p.m.
"We hope to get 200 to 300 people out," said Perry. "And there will be fun activities all day at the school for students, parents, and teachers."
Each test drive will raise $20 for the school from Ford of Canada, to a maximum of $6,000.
