The struggles continue for the Brampton Bears as they look for their first Canadian Junior Football League win.
The Bears, who were winless in their inaugural season, dropped to 0-3 on Saturday at Chinguacouswy Park as the visiting Ottawa Sooners rolled to a 26-0 win— the third straight game the Bears have been held off the scoresheet.
Even though the Bears came out on the short end, Brampton fans were treated to a better game as their team improves and gains experience.
It took just one defensive error in the first quarter to give Ottawa their first touchdown— a pass by Ottawa quarterback Yannick Rickli (a Brampton native) caught by Markus Lovell in the end zone.
That represented the only major score that the Bears allowed in the first half as they made adjustments and continued to improve as the game progressed. They played an aggressive defensive game sacking the Sooners QB a number of times and causing turnovers and an interception by Neil Riley-Grant.
Offensive successes were realized as the Bears tried to incorporate the blockage scheme used last season in an attempt to provide simplicity for the players and to provide them with an advantage to run the ball.
Overall the offense was more productive. They gained more first downs and net yards than in previous games but failed to score a touchdown.
Poor field positions and untimely penalties hampered the offense all game.
Jordan Boswell, Brampton’s starting quarterback in week one, now playing runningback, had relative success moving the ball on the ground.
The Bears defense was able to hold Ottawa to 14 points until the thirdquarter; after which key offensive and special teams errors were made which put the game out of reach for them.
“Patience is a virtue and this is a building process for our fledgling team but hard work will eventually pay off,” said head coach Mark Houlder. “They continue to improve and look forward to their first win.”
The Bears’ players of the game were Jordan Boswell on offense, Neil Riley-Grant on defense and Michael Dadzie on special teams.
The Bears will be heading to Quebec to take on the St. Leonard Cougars tomorrow, a formidable opponent with many years of experience.
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