Golden Eagles quash Knights at 5th Annual Bubba Bowl

Oct 21, 2010

Photo: The smiles of Sydenham's senior Golden Eagles said it all at the 5th annual Bubba Bowl on Oct. 15 in Sydenham.

For Sydenham High School football players the annual Bubba Bowl represents a highlight in their annual season, a double header game played under the bright lights on their home field in front of thousands of fans, young and old, who loyally gather each year to enjoy what continues to be Sydenham’s biggest football game of the season.

The event is named for Alex (“Bubba”) Turcotte, a grade 12 Sydenham High student and former player with the Golden Eagles who passed away in his sleep nine years ago.

The Bubba Bowl was the brainchild of Jim Latimer, head coach for the Junior Golden Eagles and five years ago the scoreboard on the field was unveiled in Alex’s honour.

This year’s bowl was run a bit differently from those in the past with a $2 admission fee charged to spectators with funds going towards the Point Improvement Committee. Coaches also decided to switch it up this year and for the first time the senior teams played first, setting the tone for a double header that had the Sydenham Golden Eagles soaring from end to end in both games they played against the La Salle Black Knights. In the opener the senior Eagles scored early on their first drive, taking an early lead. Following that was an interception that culminated in a touchdown and before you knew it Sydenham was leading 21-0.

The Golden Eagles maintained their lead from then on, never letting up, and by the end the senior Eagles clinched the win 54-7.

The seniors’ head coach Mike Love summed up the team’s win this way. ”It went really well early on for us. The Knights made a couple of mistakes and our guys took advantage and played a really great game.” Stellar performances included those of running back Josh Thompson who scored four touchdowns and corner back Mason Laframboise who made three interceptions scoring a touchdown on one.

In game two Sydenham's juniors similarly came out strong at the start, scoring early on their first drive. Highlights included performances by running back Branden Miller who scored a touchdown and made some devastating blocks. On defence, Matt Swift and Ben Tricky also had stellar games. The Sydenham Juniors’ head coach Jim Latimer was pleased with the outcome and said afterwards, “Our defence was a little hesitant at first but came together later in the game, which resulted in a total team effort.” The juniors won their game 35-7 and now sit in first place overall.

The cold, wet weather in no way dampened the spirits of players and fans, who enjoyed some great home field football. Both Sydenham teams’ stellar wins prove that the Golden Eagles are forces to be reckoned with.