Tigers football closes out regular season

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Tigers football closes out regular season

Details: Published on Tuesday, October 25, 2016

By Eoin Devereux

The Neepawa Press/Neepawa Banner

The matchups are set for the Rural Manitoba Football League playoffs and the Neepawa Tigers find themselves facing a tremendous challenge in the first round.

The team, which finished the regular season in fourth place with a record of 3-3-1, will go up against the top ranked Dauphin Clippers (7-0-0) on Saturday, Oct. 29. In the other semi-final for the Doug Steeves Cup, the Moosomin Generals (6-1-0) will take on the Southwest Sabres (4-2-1).

The Tigers and Generals closed out the regular season schedule of Friday, Oct. 21, with a game in Neepawa. At the end of regulation, it was Moosomin who was able to claim bragging right in this showdown, upending the Tigers by the score of 22-6. This contest was a much closer affair that the score indicates, as late in the game, Neepawa ran back a punt return for a touchdown, but had it waved off due to a special teams penalty.

During the game, both teams put in a solid defensive effort. Dillan Neufeld lead the way for the Tigers, by accumulating 20 tackles and a fumble recovery. Will Birnie also came up big for NACI with 11 tackles, while Jacob Normore notched a tackle and fumble recovery as well.

On the offensive side of the ball, it was the speed and agility of Taine Middleton that kept Moosomin busy, as he put together a rushing day of 119 yards on just 12 carries. He also scored Neepawa’s lone touchdown of the game. Other notables included Will Rainka (10 carries for 24 yards) and Dillan Neufeld (5 carries for 37 yards). As for through the air, quarterback Dylan Oshanyk went 7-for-13 passing for 63 yards. Brendan Funk was Oshanyk’s top target, with three catches for 28 yards. He also added six rushing carries for 35 yards.

With the regular season scheudle now concluded, Neepawa, as the fourth seed will have to travel to Dauphin to play the Clippers. In their regular season showdown on Sept. 29, it was Dauphin who came out on top, with a hard fought 22-6 win.