White edges Red at Dinos spring game

CALGARY – A 15-yard touchdown pass by Boston Rowe out of St. Francis High School proved to be the winning score as Team White defeated Team Red 10-6 Sunday afternoon at the University of Calgary Dinos’ annual spring scrimmage.

Rowe found Kyle Brick in the end zone at the 8:19 mark of the third quarter for the game’s lone major, giving Team White their first lead of the game. Johnny Mark, who handled kicking duties for both teams, rounded out the scoring with 27- and 29-yard field goals for Team Red along with a 47-yarder for Team White.

Red jumped out to a 6-0 lead early in the third quarter on the strength of Mark’s two field goals that closed out five- and 52-yard drives. But on White’s second possession of the second half, Rowe took the reins of the offence and led them downfield on a 10-play, 75-yard drive that was extended by three offside penalties against Team Red. Rowe ended his day as the most accurate passer in the game with six completions on eight attempts for 73 yards.

Rowe backed up last year’s conference MVP Eric Dzwilewski at pivot for Team White. Dzwilewski completed five of 10 passes for 47 yards in limited action. On the other side, Andrew Buckley started for Team Red and completed seven of 11 passes for 57 yards, while Jimmy Underdahl went 6-for-11 for 100 yards.

Cuong Thai Lieu was the top rusher on the day with 30 yards for Team White, with Jordan Gabriel-Cannon adding 21 yards on the ground. Team Red was led by 20 rushing yards from Mercer Timmis, while receiver Jake Harty was the top offensive player for Red with five catches for 82 yards.

Cory Robinson picked up three sacks for Team White to lead the defensive effort.

The game brought to a close the Dinos’ spring camp, presented by Perpetual Energy, with the five-day event wrapping up on a hot, sunny day at McMahon Stadium.

“The players enjoyed the game – they liked the intensity of this format,” said Dinos head coach Blake Nill. “It was a more relaxed environment, and given the distractions of the week I think it was a good thing for our team today.

“I was really impressed with (defensive lineman) Tyler Langlais this week. He is a returning third-year guy for us and had a great camp. Our entire skill positions on offence are a strength of ours. In terms of the young kids, we have some great athletes at linebacker and in the secondary. Robert Woodson and Adam Laurensse, in particular, were very good, and on the defensive line both Brett Wade and James Bradley look like they’re going to be keepers for sure.”

It was a difficult week for the Dinos, with the tragic death of defensive lineman Daniel Lamola on Wednesday night. The team cancelled practice on Friday after hearing the news, and Nill was impressed with the composure of his group in dealing with a difficult situation through the rest of the weekend.

“After experiencing the condition everyone was in Friday, I’m really impressed with how well we’ve handled things in the last 48 hours,” said Nill. “It’s going to take a while still, but I know we’ll be able to push through this.”

The Dinos open fall training camp on Saturday, Aug. 17 as they prepare to defend their five consecutive Canada West championships. A non-conference tilt in Quebec City against the Vanier Cup champion Laval Rouge et Or follows on Aug. 24.

Calgary opens the 2013 Canada West season on the road Aug. 31 against the UBC Thunderbirds in Vancouver. The home opener goes Saturday, Sept. 14 when the Dinos host the Saskatchewan Huskies at McMahon Stadium.