Home » Featured Stories » Blenheim beats Wallaceburg 10-9 in senior football final, see photos
Blenheim beats Wallaceburg 10-9 in senior football final, see photos
Blenheim running back Zack Shuian fights off some Wallaceburg Tartans defenders during Saturday's (Nov. 7) senior football championship - Aaron Hall Photo
By Aaron Hall – Daily Post Editor
The Blenheim Bobcats won a close contest on Saturday, Nov. 7 with a 10-9 win over the Wallaceburg Tartans.
The home win for the Bobcats gave them the title of 2009 Kent High School Senior Football Champions.
Blenheim struck first, after a scoreless first quarter, they out a field goal through the uprights to gain a 3-0 lead.
After Wallaceburg kicker Jake Zelina put a punt through the end-zone for a single point, Wallaceburg stormed back near the end of the first half, as running back Brandon Donkers scampered for a 40-yard running play. Donkers finished off the drive with a 1-yard TD plunge into the end-zone, giving the Tartans a 8-3 lead heading into the half.
Blenheim got the ball to start the second half and marched the ball down to the 10 yard line, but Tartans defender Tyler Ryan off the pass from Blenheim QB Ryan Vanderzwan.
The Bobcats kept attacking the Tartans defence, and finally cracked the end-zone at the start of the fourth quarter when Vanderzwan found running back Zack Shuian for an approximate 15-yard TD pass.
Blenheim ate up much of the clock in the fourth quarter as well, converting on two big third down conversions.
However, the Tartans stuffed the Bobcats offence on their third, third down conversion of the quarter -giving the Tartans a glimmer of hope with 2:21 left in the game.
After being forced a third and short situation with 1:30 left in the quarter, the Tartans elected for a field goal attempt – which would have given Wallaceburg a one-point lead.
However, Zelina’s kick sailed wide-left and through the end-zone, for a single point – making the score 10-9 for the Bobcats.
Blenheim would go on to run out the remainder of the clock and claim the 2009 Kent High School Senior Football Championship.
Blenheim had beaten the McGregor Panthers last Saturday, 8-7 in the semi finals, while the Tartans knocked off the previously undefeated UCC Lancers 21-7.
Blenheim was 4-2 in the regular season, while the Tartans were 2-4.
Statistics were not immediately available following the championship game.
Check out the photos below from the game.
Also, check out this story with comments and reaction from Bobcats head coach Brian Pugh, Tartans head coach Rob MacLachlan and members of the winning Bobcats team as well: Blenheim 10, Wallaceburg 9: Reaction from the Kent Senior football final, see video
Susan Burk
November 9, 2009 at 10:12 am
Great game played by both teams… exactly what a good championship game should be!!! Tight and up in the air til the very last minute! So happy for the BOBCATS!!! A well- deserved win with the smallest team in the league.. only 26 players!
Thanks to the CKDP for following the game and posting pics and video.Disappointed with some of Chatham-Kent’s other news and events followers… seemed a lack of interest with no actual Chatham teams participating. Thanks again!!!
Jason Hyatt
November 9, 2009 at 10:30 pm
Fully agree with both of Susan’s points. It is sad that the community can just ignore something because it doesn’t happen in the “big” city.
The game was great and exciting till the end. Great job BOBCATS !
twoguest
November 11, 2009 at 10:29 am
Congratulations to both the Bobcats and Tartans for a great season! Also credit to this site for the great coverage.
However, and I don’t defend our local media often, but the Chatham Daily News had a good article leading up to the game and a good article in Tuesday’s paper…they don’t publish Sunday or Monday. Give ‘em a bit of a break here. Their high school coverage is quite well done no matter if the event is in the “big city” or in the surrounding community.
This does point out the value of CKDP and electronic media in general.