Bulldogs still looking for that first win
John Zsiray/Leader<br>Quarterback Aaron Trudeau, left, eludes a Deer Lodge player last Friday, while teammate Cory Gies tries to hold off another would-be tackler.
ST. IGNATIUS — The Mission Bulldogs gained experience at last week's game against Deer Lodge but fell 36-0, but the coaching staff is optimistic about the improvement they've seen over the past couple of weeks.
"No one's giving up. We are still competing. Overall, everyone played a lot better defensively against Deer Lodge," head coach Tom Peterson said.
In the first quarter defensive back Cory Gies continually pushed the Wardens back to the 40-yard line. The Wardens took off with a 20-yard run and Gies stopped them at the 22-yard line to turn the ball over to the Bulldog offense.
Defensively the Dogs kept their game up in the second quarter. Gies was back on the ball when he intercepted a pass in Warden territory. Casey Cable broke up another Warden pass.
"Gies did have a nice pass deflection," Peterson said.
The Wardens tried to make some points on a few long passes but the 'Dogs continued to break them up. The Wardens then changed their game plan and started running with the ball.
Aaron Trudeau picked up a punt at the 15-yard line in the third quarter, and worked the offense down to the 35-yard line.
"Towards the second half we ran the ball more effectively. We got some downs," Peterson said.
In the fourth quarter the Dogs tried to avoid the shutout. Cable picked up a pass from Trudeau to gain 20 yards, but a five-yard penalty pushed them back. Trudeau had the first down on the 45-yard line with 3:41 on the clock, but the team couldn't get on the board before time ran out.
On Friday, the Bulldogs travel to Plains. They play against Troy and Arlee in the next two away games.
"Hopefully it will work out better for us in the next couple weeks," Peterson said.