Not even atmospheric rivers or highway closures can stop the momentum of the Robert Bateman Timberwolves.
Bateman advanced to the AA Coastal Division finals after a 41-19 win over the John Barsby Bulldogs at BC Place on Saturday (Nov. 27).
The Timberwolves started the game hot, with two rushing touchdowns by quarterback Nolan Watrin to set the pace. But it was Watrin’s arm and the passing game that shined for Bateman as the game carried on.
Moments away from kickoff here at @bcplace, as @BatemanFootball takes on John Barsby in the AA coastal semifinal @BCHSFB pic.twitter.com/QHRJ9jp10o
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) November 27, 2021
When the Bulldogs replied with a touchdown from Cesare Rednour-Bruckman early in the second, Watrin connected with Braden Tuchscherer to make it 20-7 at halftime.
A series of turnovers both ways opened the third quarter, but AJ Nguyen grabbed an interception to stop the chain of errors and Taejshon Catlin added a rushing touchdown to make it 28-7 after three. Watrin then scored with a big touchdown pass to Nguyen and Austin Harter also scored a major on the ground.
Micah Barker also had a solid game on the ground, breaking free for a 60-yard run in the first quarter. Bateman collected over 100 yards rushing on the afternoon.
Bateman - 41
— Bateman Football (@BatemanFootball) November 27, 2021
Barsby - 19
FINALS BOUND!@BCHSFB @BCSchoolSports @htsumura
Bateman head coach David Mills said it was a great effort from his team, especially offensively.
“We passed for over 300 yards for the first time this year,” he said, praising the passing game led by Watrin. “Defensively this is a tough offence to play against and I thought we did pretty well there too.”
Austin Harter battles through a pair of tackles to run it in!
— BC HS Football (@BCHSFB) November 27, 2021
PAT is good!
John Barsby - 14 | Robert Bateman 41 | 4th Quarter pic.twitter.com/cm7pO1VomD
Mills said the recent flooding has hit everyone in Abbotsford hard and both the Bateman community and his team were not unaffected.
“I think everyone in our community saw everything that’s been happening firsthand,” he said. “Some people in other communities might not feel or be aware of how bad it was, but we knew. I know some of our guys went down and helped out with some of the harder hit areas. For us as a team, we just have to roll with the punches - first it was COVID now this.”
The flooding and destruction across the province meant that this year B.C. high school football will be unable to have a provincial champion, and instead have regional champions.
AJ Nguyen with an incredible catch in the back of the end zone extends the Robert Bateman lead.
— BC HS Football (@BCHSFB) November 27, 2021
PAT is no good
John Barsby - 14 | Robert Bateman 34 | 4th Quarter pic.twitter.com/4wnnQb8ofi
Watrin said the coaching and preparation made a big difference in the team’s confidence heading into the semifinal game.
“We prepared really well for this over the last two weeks and through some of the coaches decisions I think I was able to pick apart their defence pretty good,” he said.
He explained that Barsby uses a cover three defence, which allowed Bateman to design plays around trying to find holes and take advantage.
Braeden Tuchsherer breaks a tackle, turns on the jets and takes it in for a touchdown!
— BC HS Football (@BCHSFB) November 27, 2021
PAT hits the bar
John Barsby - 7 | Robert Bateman - 20 | 2nd Quarter pic.twitter.com/lgZxiD4k83
“Guys were getting open almost every play so I was just doing my best to try to find them,” he said.
Watrin pointed out that the flooding moved school to virtual learning for several days and allowed the team to still practice and focus more on the game. The Bateman area was spared from any major flooding, but Watrin said it was shocking to see Abbotsford in such rough shape.
“I have a couple of friends who live in Clayburn Village and their basements were flooded,” he said. “It’s not good.”
Bateman now advances to the final where they will take on the Carson Graham Eagles. The two teams met in Abbotsford back on Nov. 5 with the Timberwolves winning 46-12. The Eagles upset the undefeated Langley Saints 24-22 earlier on Saturday.
RELATED: Robert Bateman Timberwolves clinch Abbotsford home playoff date
Watrin said he’s looking forward to the final, which is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 4 at BC Place.
“They beat the number one team [Langley],” Watrin said. “We have to be ready, it’s not going to be easy.”
Nolan Watrin runs it in from the 1 for the 2nd time in the quarter and the point after is good.
— BC HS Football (@BCHSFB) November 27, 2021
John Barsby - 0 | Robert Bateman - 14 | 1st quarter pic.twitter.com/Sy4bu1lKZn
Mills agreed it should be a challenging game.
“Their quarterback can throw and run and they have some really good receivers,” he said. “It’s going to be another tough one.”
Full schedules for championship Saturday are expected to be released in the coming days.
The Coastal AA Final is set as Robert Bateman wins the 2nd Semi-Final and will take on Carson Graham in the Championship next weekend!
— BC HS Football (@BCHSFB) November 27, 2021
John Barsby - 19 | Robert Bateman 41 | Final pic.twitter.com/fRy9OT7UyY
