The Dauphin Clippers football team improved to 3-1 on the season, thanks to a 31-12 win over the Virden Golden Bears, Thursday in Dauphin.
Joseph Lopez had two carries for 69 yards, including a 70-yard touchdown run. His second run resulted in the loss of one yard. Matthew Zurba ran for 42 yards on six carries.
Will Stinson and Oliver Dandeneau also had rushing TDs, while Jackson Cheater stripped the ball from a Virden player and ran it in from 30 yards out.
Guzman Garcia had three converts and also connected on a 20-yard field goal, as well as a punt single.
Defensively, Lopez recorded seven tackles, forced two fumbles and had one recovery, while Josiah Seale had seven tackles, one assist, one sack, one interception and two knockdowns.
Clippers coach Jason Zurba said the win was a nice way to bounce back from the loss to Moosomin the previous week.
“We played well. We got some young guys in there and gave them some game experience, which was nice to see,” he said.
Playing as a team was key to success. he added.
“Playing as a unit. We didn’t get down on ourselves. We kept pushing forward,” Zurba said.
Getting the younger players game experience is invaluable as injuries always play a role.
“We had a couple of guys go down in Moosomin and some guys stepped up today. So it’s always good to get young guys in to get that experience,” Zurba said.
As well as the Clippers are playing, there are still some areas of the game they can work on.
“Blocking up front on our O line. Our defence played well. We have to be able to push the ball in when we need to. So our offensive line to move that line forward,” Zurba said.
The Clippers will play their next three games on the road, beginning, Friday in Souris against the Southwest Sabres. Zurba hopes the team can maintain its momentum going into that contest.
“It’s going to be a tough battle. They’re a good club and I’m looking forward to it,” he said.
The JV Clippers were in Brandon, Saturday for a game against the Vincent Massey Vikings.
Some of the young players who haven’t seen a lot of playing time, got it in the 34-19 loss to the Vikings.
Alex Thompson led the ground game with 165 yards on nine carries and scored on 75 and 65-yard runs.
Owen Vandepoele had Dauphin’s other touchdown on a 60-yard run.
Declan Waggoner led the defence with 10 tackles and a fumble recovery, while Owen Fjeldsted had four tackles, one assist and one interception and Aiden Sanderson had four tackles.
