John Barsby Bulldogs vs Sands Scorpions

Fri Nov. 18 at 12:00pm, Burnaby Lakes

The Fanatic spread line:

Barsby+7 vs Sands-7 O/U 35

Final Score 34-31 for Sands. Would've sold my first born to watch this game, unfortunately some stupid thing called "work" got in the way. Wow, 31-17 for Barsby at the Half, with Sands blowing the doors off to pull ahead 34-31 at the end. Simply an amazing game. Both teams played extremely well, Sands just wanted it more. This will be one of those classic games that both teams will be talking about for quite some time. I'll let the players and fans "tell it how it is". Barsby will be back strong for next year as they are always. Sands prepares for the 4 horsemen in LT for semis next weekend. Sands could be the favorite, will be another tough game to handicap.


The most intense matchup in either AAA and AA. The trash talking has already begun well in advance. Both teams come off dominating performances over 2 Interior teams in the Wildcard round. For Barsby, they have improved week over week since losing big to LT in Week 1 and have never looked back. Sands has had one of the most successful first-year campaigns in recent memory and look to validate it with a trip to the Final Four. I favor the Scorpions here in what should be a very tight, closely contested battle on the ground with Sands squeeking out a victory. Turnovers will be huge here, the team which can protect the ball and consistently make plays will win the game.

Barsby Offense: The Bulldogs are infamous for running the Double Wing formation since entering the league over a decade ago. We saw a glimpse of how dangerous this offense can be last week when they switched from the Double Wing to a passing offense and caught Valleyview by surprise. Expect the Bulldogs to stay on the ground in this one early using RB Tyler Bates and WB Cuong Thai. Should the Bulldogs get behind, they will switch up to the air.

Sands Defense: Scorpions have had arguably the best defense in AA so far. The D-line is fast and physical, great penetration on the snap. Solid LB core and Safety support has been great at stuffing the running game all season. If they're weak anywhere, it's been in the pass coverage. A tall quick Receiver could burn the secondary for some big gains.

Sands Offense: Inconsistent early, the Scorpions seem to have hit their stride of late with RB Brian Troutman running behind a solid O-line. QB Taylor Potkins has some big targets he throws to. Key question for Sands will be whether their offense will perform or crack under the pressure of the Big Game.

Barsby Defense: Nick Woznesensky will be a finalist for AA Defensive MVP. The Junior is having a dominating season and looks to bring it this weekend. Woz and Co. will need to stop Troutman and force the Scorpions to throw it and force turnovers. Other than a slip up in Week 1 where All-Star LT QB Jordan Willetts burned them, and an overpowering WJ Mouat team, the Bulldog defense has dominated opponents.

How they got here:

Fri, Nov. 11 (3) John Barsby Bulldogs vs (14) Valleyview Vikings Final Score (48-0)
Fri, Nov. 11 (6) Sands Scorpions vs (11) Okanagan Mission Huskies Final Score (43-8)


Fri, Nov. 4 Aldergrove Totems vs Sands Scorpions Final Score (38-6) (Aldergrove+42 at Sands-42 O/U 49)
Fri, Oct. 28 Sands Scorpions vs Seaquam Seahawks Final Score (24-0) (Sands-28 at Seaquam+28 O/U 42)
Fri, Sep. 30 Nanaimo Islanders vs Sands Scorpions Final Score (49-0) (Nanaimo+42 at Sands-42 O/U 42)
Fri, Sep. 23 Sands Scorpions vs Carson Graham Eagles Final Score (14-7) (Sands-21 at Carson+21 O/U 56)
Sat, Sep. 17 Windsor Dukes vs Sands Scorpions Final Score (26-7) (Windsor-7 at Sands+7 O/U 35)
Sat, Sep. 10 Sands Scorpions vs Orville, Wash Final Score (30-7) (Sands+7 at Orville-7 O/U 49)
Thu, Sep. 1 Sands Scorpions vs North Surrey Spartans Final Score (47-0) (Sands-14 at NS+14 Over/Under 28)


Fri, Nov. 4 Hugh Boyd Trojans vs John Barsby Bulldogs Final Score (42-6) (HB+10 at Barsby-10 O/U 49)
Sat, Oct. 29 John Barsby Bulldogs vs Aldergrove Totems Final Score (46-6) (Barsby-35 at Aldergrove+35 O/U 42)
Sat, Oct. 1 Seaquam Seahawks vs John Barsby Bulldogs Final Score (36-0) (Seaquam+14 at Barsby-14 O/U 42)
Sat, Sep. 17 WJ Mouat Hawks vs John Barsby Bulldogs Final Score (42-6) (WJM-14 at Barsby+14 O/U 49)
Fri, Sep. 23 John Barsby Bulldogs vs Pinetree Timberwolves Final Score (36-13) (Barsby-7 at Pinetree+7 O/U 35)
Sat, Sep. 10 Ballenas Whalers vs John Barsby Bulldogs Final Score (14-0) (Ballenas-3 at Barsby+3 O/U 35)
Sat, Sep. 3 Lord Tweedsmuir Panthers vs John Barsby Bulldogs Final Score (35-12) (LT+3 at Barsby-3 Over/Under 28)