Tommies take fourth River Bowl.

Wind and rain does not dampen the effort of JMH Tommies as they cruise past Pulamoo for fourth straight River Bowl title.

Eight degrees, raining like heck with an east wind blowing: that was the weather when JMH and MVHS faced off in the 2019 River Bowl earlier this afternoon. This is the fourth season for high school football in Miramichi since it returned in 2016 after a 47 year hiatus. Prior to 2016 the last time a high school team in Miramichi played football was at Harkins in 1969.

For the fourth year in a row, James M. Hill captured the River Bowl. The Tommies avenged a loss to the Pulamoo earlier in the season (16-14) by drubbing them in the rain and slop with a 38-0 score and hoisted the trophy yet again.

Today was the first time football was played at James M. Hill as the field between the high school Dr. Losier Jr. High is finally ready for football.

The Tommies improve on the season to 3 wins and 3 losses, and play their final regular season game next weekend in Hampton against the winless Huskies with an eye on the NBIAA 9-man Football playoffs. The Pulamoo sit in fourth place, one behind the Tommies, and play division leading Rothesay on the road next weekend to finish the regular season.

Leading the way for the Tommies was Braden MacDonald with a monster rushing game and three touchdowns. MacDonald received the Offensive Player of the Game trophy. Will Woods was also a factor for the Tommies with several good rushes and a touchdown. Bradley Robinson was steady at QB.

Alex Wickholm of the Pulamooo received the defensive player of the game award as he made numerous tackles and continued to play hard even as the game got out of hand.

Player of the Game was Josh Jardine who ran back an interception for a touchdown late in the game to put the icing on the mud cake.

Blocking was the difference in a game that saw very few passing attempts. The Tommie defenders were able to get into the MVHS backfield with ease and made many tackles behind the line of scrimmage. By contrast, Tommie rushers had a full head of steam on most plays before anyone laid a finger on them.

Tommie captains receive River Bowl for fourth time: (left to right) Jason Robichaud, Declan Doyle, Drew Duplessie, Bradley Robinson, Will Woods, Josh Jardine.