Tigers Week 4 Report – A PERFECT DAY, NEAR PERFECT GAME

THE RICK RIVERS’ REPORT. 2021 VOL. 4 – October 12, 2021

It had been a week of perfect fall football weather when the Dalhousie Tigers took to the new turf of Wickwire Field. A glistening giant “D” has replaced the Tiger’s head and the black and gold roared to a 44-3 victory over the Holland College Hurricanes. And it was a near perfect game as all three phases of the Dal team played to their potential.

The one consistent throughout this Tiger season has been the outstanding blocking of the “O” line and the sensational running of Dylan Waugh. And yes, Waugh scored Dal’s first points on a 15-yard TD run early in the first Q to give the Cats a 7-0 lead.

Disappointment was avoided a few minutes later when Dal lost possession on a fumbled lateral. But Connor McCormick’s INT on the goal line prevented the opponent’s potential six points. Later in the game he came from out of nowhere to frustrate Jake Richards, Holland’s QB and his receivers, by knocking down the ball twice and preventing receptions. 

Okyay Kepenek (golden foot) kicked a FG for the Tigers and shortly after the Hurricanes lost possession on a punt return, caused by a devastating hit by Will Keneford. The following drive saw Duplisea, the Tiger’s QB, dash 7 yards for a major. Football teams often have two good but somewhat dissimilar running backs and they may call them Thunder and Lightning. You can guess their attributes. Jason Watts’ (Thunder) running set up Duplisea for his TD toss to Waugh (Lightning), making the score 24-0 at the half. Reid Marchand was good on all three PATs.

Halfway through the third Q, Watts (#28) who appears on the cover of this week’s program, after momentarily bobbling a Duplisea pass, tucked it away running a good 25 yards, putting the Tigers deep in Holland’s end. Two first down runs by Lightning (#21) eventually led to Waugh’s third major from the two.

The Tiger defence did bend twice but never broke. A long completion by HC QB, Jake Richards, saw the Hurricanes inside the Dal ten. But two sacks later, Holland settled for a FG by Issac Campbell. The Hurricanes also gave up a safety because of the Tiger’s dominating pressure. Score now 32-3.

Other highlights of the second half saw Josh Byron receive an in air punt return fumble and rumble multiple yards. Duplisea’s passing form returned to the usual high percentage and his broken field running on a long gain showed he is a double threat. He finished his day on a short completion to Waugh for a TD, his third of the game.

Team backups were plentiful in the fourth Q as the clock ran continuously with the black and gold up 35. Colton Allen acquitted himself well, completing a number of passes and sprinted for a sideline first down. A long Allen pass to Carter Harris-Fowell left Dalhousie on the Hurricanes two, where Watts punched it in. Final score, 44-3 Tigers.

It was a beautiful afternoon and in excess of 600 fans watched in delight. Hopefully, the same contingent and more will venture to Wickwire this Saturday at six o’clock to see the Tigers (3-1) battle the undefeated UNBF Red Bombers (4-0) in the second game of the Alumni Cup.

The Bombers defeated the Tigers, 35-24, in the first game. This two game total point series will determine which team has home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Bring that Tiger spirit to cheer Head Coach Haggett’s black and gold on to victory. GO TIGERS!