For the second time in their brief history the Prince George Northern Eagles hosted a tier 2 B.C. Football Conference game Sunday at Masich Place Stadium.
As the growing pains continued for the Northern Eagles in their inaugural season with a 38-8 loss to the Richmond Raiders in the final regular-season game of the season. The Northern Eagles compiled a 1-5 record while the Raiders were 4-2. The semifinal games are next Saturday in Richmond where the Northern Eagles will face either a rematch with the Raiders or the defending champion North Delta Longhorns. Last week, the Northern Eagles lost their first tier 2 home game to the Longhorns.
The league final is scheduled for June 16 in Richmond between the winners of the semifinal games.
Northern Eagles head coach Jim Lozon said it was a difficult first season as they had trouble fielding a complete roster most games and weren't able to get a lot of gym time in the winter months for scrimmaging which didn't help with the cohesion between teammates especially among the quarterbacks and receivers.
"It's seems when 11 guys are doing their jobs, one or two guys aren't," said Lozon. "Guys have a lot to learn especially about the increased speed in the junior game after high school."
The native of Fort St. John has worked as the quarterbacks coach for the Vancouver Island Raiders in the tier 1 league, and helped guide former Vancouver Island running backs Andrew Harris, now with the B.C. Lions in the CFL, and Jordan Botel, now with Mount Allison in the CIS, to their post Canadian Junior Football League successes.
Lozon said the Northern Eagles met a couple goals this season by not forfeiting a game and earning their first win. The coach was also impressed with former Duchess Park Condors running back Josh Houghson.
"He's improved a lot as a runner this season, especially in his vision of the field," said Lozon. "He's flown under the radar [in Prince George] for so long that tier 1 teams haven't noticed him. There are opportunities [in tier 1 football] if he wants to take them."
Lozon added that players with Houghson's talent need to learn how to compete for jobs in higher levels of the game and are often frustrated when things don't come as easy as they did in high school.
Northern Eagles middle linebacker Brennan Adrian also stood out, catching the eye of the Richmond coaches.
Sunday the Northern Eagles were within 10 points of the Raiders, trailing 18-8 heading into the fourth quarter when fatigue once again reared it's ugly head due to the limited number of bodies and need for many players to play multiple positions. Tyson Plain scored the Northern Eagles only touchdown.
