Ground and pound is a formation well known by football fans, whether it is for better or for worst. For the Oshawa Hawkeyes junior varsity team it is a philosophy that they have bought into, and its paid dividends early.
The Hawkeyes ran all over their opponent the Etobicoke Eagles last night winning 32-0. Oshawa’s main offensive weapon was RB Logan Bodley who ran the ball tough and smart on his way to a 122 yards total and 1 touchdown on just 13 carries.
The Hawkeyes started the game out on defence but not for long as Austin D’Andrade recovered an incomplete backward pass from the Eagles giving the ball to Oshawa’s offence. Shortly after that the Hawkeyes fumbled the ball right back to Etobicoke but after their defence got a 3 and out and forced a bad punt, Hawkeyes Bodley took the ball 28 yards for the game’s first score.
The extra point was missed but that didn’t matter as the Hawkeyes were just starting their blow out win. The Eagles recovered the onside kick attempt but a few plays later Hawkeyes DL John Grant turned around and the ball fell into his hands for an interception. The offence again relied heavily on Bodley who play in and play out was running through defenders arm tackles for first downs.
A horse collar call on the Eagles set up a 1[SUP]st[/SUP] and goal for Oshawa and on the very next play QB Randy O’Connor called his own number from under centre and scored a touchdown. The extra point was good making the score 13-0. The defence kept the pressure on Etobicoke with a QB fumble coming on the next drive recovered by Oshawa’s Andy McArthur on their own 44-yard line.
With the Hawkeyes again going into score they fumbled the ball back to Etobicoke on the 7-yard line. The very next play Hawkeyes John Grant shot through the line for a bone crushing sack on the Eagles QB. The hit clearly shook the QB as he then threw an interception to Oshawa’s Chris Mackey at the 21-yard line. There was a penalty on the play moving the ball back to Oshawa’s 26.
The running spree continued as the Hawkeyes called a double reverse at a perfect time and WR Garrett Arsenault took the ball 25 yards for another rushing touchdown. The extra point was missed making the score 19-0. The defenses for Oshawa was relentless all game and on the next drive forced a fumble from the QB, which was ultimately recovered by Etobicoke.
After Drake Carusi returned a blocked punt to the Eagles 13 yard line the Hawkeyes offence was at it again. After losing 7 yards on a running play, number 34 Mitch LaPlaunt lined up in shot gun and fired a ball into the end zone to receiver Braeden Vavassori for a score. The extra point was again missed making the score 25-0 Hawkeyes at the half.
The Hawkeyes first offensive possession in the second half consisted of five straight running plays helped out by a face mask penalty; which all lead to a 1 yard touchdown run by Mitch LaPlaunt. The extra point was good and proved to be the final scoring play for either team making the final 32-0 Oshawa over Etobicoke.
The offence was unstoppable at times with the running game they have, and just when it looked like they were figured out, they would throw a reverse or deep pass at their opponent. The defence was persistent and made sure tackles for a loss. If Coach Rory’s team continues this type of play and commitment, anticipate them making a deep run into the playoffs and possibly even a championship game appearance.
Player of the Game. RB Logan Bodley
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