The peewee Cowichan Bulldogs are 2025 Vancouver Island Canadian Football Association Champions following a 24-16 victory this past weekend against Southside. The win kept the team undefeated throughout the entire regular season and playoffs.
Rylen Heyer was the team's MVP.
"It was an exhilarating game," said head coach Justin Young.
Heyer, the team's quarterback, opened the scoring on a 60 yard run for a touchdown. The next touchdown for Cowichan came at the hands of Finley Bellis on a three-yard powerful run.
Cowichan's final touchdown came at the hands of Damian Montoya who took a five-yard pass into the end-zone for what would be the game winning touchdown.
"It was an amazing game for both defences as they went back and forth with powerful stops," Young said.
"Our defence was led by the two outside line backers, Liam Freeland and Rylend "Blondi" Monti," Young added. "It was a hard-fought victory with multiple red zone stops for our defence."
One of those red zone stops came at the hands of Jace Kosak-Joseph, who made a diving tackle on the Southside fullback to push him out of bounds just three yards before the end-zone.
"Despite being scored on twice, our team did not give up and continued to battle and we walked away as champions," said the proud coach.
"I cannot say how proud I am of these kids. Their efforts and drive is what secured this championship. The ability to push themselves beyond what they thought capable is awe inspiring."
