Jr. Bulldogs drop 33-26 decision in regular season finale

Spencer Petrozzi scores three touchdowns for General Amherst

Posted By Ron Giofu/The Amherstburg Echo

Updated 18 days ago

Spencer Petrozzi (24) looks for open field during General Amherst's 33-26 loss to Catholic Central Nov. 3 at Windsor Stadium. Petrozzi scored three touchdowns for the Bulldogs.(Photo: Ron Giofu/The Amherstburg Echo)

WINDSOR — The General Amherst Bulldogs junior football team didn't end the regular season they way they wanted to as they dropped a 33-27 decision to Catholic Central last Tuesday at Windsor Stadium.

The Bulldogs were in a 14-0 hole very early as Catholic Central took the opening kickoff for a touchdown and followed that up with a 74-yard touchdown run on their first series on offense. The defense continued to be a problem for Amherst throughout most of the contest.

"They ran the same thing on us all day. We didn't do anything to stop it," said Hayden Martin, who stood out on both sides of the ball.

Quarterback Mike Mallender was responsible for the first Bulldogs' touchdown, but did so on special teams. He took a short kick 55 yards to the end zone to cut the deficit to 14-7 later in the first quarter. Spencer Petrozzi scored his first of three rushing touchdowns in the second quarter as he cashed it in from nine yards out but the extra point failed.

Amherst tried to take the lead heading into the half after a Todd Girard interception return saw the Bulldogs start from the Catholic Central three-yard line. However, they couldn't punch it during the few seconds that remained in the half.

Catholic Central went up 20-13 after taking advantage of a botched Amherst punt attempt but Amherst tied the game at 20 later in the third quarter when Petrozzi ran 45 yards for a touchdown. However, Catholic Central quickly responded with a 69-yard touchdown pass of their own to give them a seven point lead heading for the final quarter.

A long Catholic Central drive to start the fourth quarter culminated with a touchdown but they missed the extra point making it a 33-20 affair. Late in the game, an Amherst drive was kept alive thanks to a roughing the passer penalty and Petrozzi found the end zone for the third time.

"Our line blocked pretty well today. They blocked pretty well," said Mallender. "Petrozzi ran the ball really well."

Mallender agreed with what head coach Dave Scott told the team after the game about their practice habits coming in.

"Coach is right. We screwed around in practice way too much this week. We've got to pick it up for playoffs," he said.

The Bulldogs and Essex Red Raiders open the playoffs this Tuesday.