Lord Tweedsmuir Panthers vs Robert Bateman Timberwolves

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If you like watching creative defensive football, the Lord Tweedsmuir Panthers are the team for you. The Panthers showcased their versatile scheme in a gritty 21-7 win against the Robert Bateman Timberwolves. 


The Panthers defense does a little bit of everything. They show heavy-pressure looks and send the house; they play base defense and rush only four; their corners will play press coverage and other times, they'll play off with a cushion.

It's hard enough to run one, maybe two of these looks as a high school defense. The Panthers run all that soundly while flying around the field, making life miserable for opposing offenses. 

This dominant unit would play a huge part in the team's early 14-0 lead. First, forcing and recovering a fumble deep in Bateman territory before quarterback Chase Thurston punched the ball in from Inside the ten-yard line.

On the next drive, after the Panther's defense forced a three-and-out, Bateman was forced to punt. Panthers defender Kal Basra flew by Batemans punt protection team and got his hands on the ball, blocking the punt. Peyton Mansfield would scoop up the ball and take it in for six. Before you could blink, it was 14-0.


Bateman would show excellent mental toughness. With everything going against them, they managed to collect themselves and answered with a score before halftime to cut the lead to 14-7.


In the third quarter, the Panthers started to pound the rock. Wearing down Batemans front seven, the Panthers would drive the field behind their offensive line before Peyton Mansfield would cross the plain to extend the Panther's lead to 21-7.

In the fourth quarter, Bateman would Battle and come close to scoring twice before interceptions by defensive backs Mathew Reid and Tristan Ford ended any hope of a Timberwolves comeback.   

Panthers Head Coach Michael Carter had this to say on his team's big win.

"We are happy to leave Abbotsford with a win against a very strong Bateman team. Bateman gave us some real challenges in certain areas, and we're excited to dive into the film in preparation for regular season games starting next week." 

The Panthers will showcase their multiple defensive scheme against the number one ranked Vancouver College Fighting Irish next Saturday.