Injuries cost Bulldogs in final game

Down to only three substitutes at the end of the game – and pressing seventh-string quarterback Dustin Capplett into action – cost the Olds Rotary Bulldogs in the consolation Tier III final of the Central Alberta Football League Saturday. The team lost 38-6 to the Rocky Mountain House Rebels at Normie Kwong Park.

The normally sure-handed Bulldogs fumbled the ball on numerous occasions, negating opportunities to pick up better field position, including an error on the team's first possession of the game. Although that fumble didn't cost the Bulldogs, another miscue from a Rebels punt late in the first quarter led to the visitors recovering the ball on the Bulldogs' 20-yard line and later pushing it over the goal line from about three yards out, giving the visitors an 8-0 lead after the conversion.

With about five seconds remaining in the first quarter, slotback D.J. Neustaeter ran the ball in from the Bulldogs' side of centre to make the score 8-6 after the first quarter – the last scoring the home team would do on the day.

Following the game, coach Neil Skaluba said the Bulldog players couldn't handle the pressure exerted by the Rebels.

“Our players just couldn't handle the heat. They … put in the best effort they could and they were just overpowered by Rocky … and they just whittled us down,” he said.

Despite the Bulldog season coming to an end, Skaluba said the team had an excellent season, finishing 5-3 including playoffs.

“We had a great season. The kids played their hearts out every game, can't fault them for their effort,” he said.

While a core of seven to eight of the stronger players have finished their bantam eligibility, Skaluba said the team should be in good shape heading into next season, with a lot of younger players using this year as a good learning experience for 2012.

“There's going to be a good mix. We've got a few of the stronger players leaving us … (but) we'll have a good strong core for next year,” he said.