Follow TVRAA football in the London Free Press. Friday, September 20, 2002 Brother act powers Lions to big victory By STEVE GREEN, Free Press Sports Reporter  If Tyler and Chris Ullerick have a little sibling rivalry this year, the South Lions will be the big winner. The brother act got things off to a flying start yesterday, each scoring two touchdowns as the Lions opened defence of their Thames Valley Region Athletic Association senior football title with a 35-7 home win over the Oakridge Oaks. "It's amazing," Tyler, 15 and in Grade 11, said of having Chris in the same backfield. "Having my big brother back there looking over me is great. Got to match him, though. Two touchdowns each." Tyler Ullerick was on the South junior team that made it to the TVRAA final last season and he seems to have made the jump to senior with ease. "I've just got to stay low and stay fast," he said. "These are bigger boys now." Chris was impressed by Tyler's play. "He's another little weapon we've got back there," he said. "And he gives the family something else to cheer about. He's still learning but he can play." Tyler, who also had an interception, scored the game's first touchdown, going over from three metres out on fourth-and-goal. His 14-metre TD run and Ted Bell's convert on South's first possession of the second half made it 21-7 and the Lions were in control, but not before bogging down in the first half. South mistakes, some solid defensive line play by the Oaks and two interceptions by Josh Neufeld stalled the Lions and Oakridge drew level when Tom Dolezel bulled over from eight metres out on fourth down, with Blake Lamond converting. But Chris Ullerick scored on a 32-metre pass from Bell, who avoided an almost certain sack, with one second left in the half. Bell's convert was blocked but he sent the second-half kickoff through the end zone for a single and a 14-7 lead. "That was a life-saver," Chris Ullerick said of his TD catch. "That crushed 'em a bit going into the half." Oakridge head coach Dave Cox agreed it was a turning point. "That was a play we should have made," he said. "The defensive end thought he had (Bell) and let up a bit and Bell's a good quarterback. He took advantage." Chris Ullerick, who also scored on a seven-metre run late in the third quarter, said this year's Lions aren't trying to dwell on what happened last season. "Last year was an amazing year but this year's team is a lot different," he said. "But it all comes down to the same thing -- we just have to execute. We've lost a lot on the line and we need a bit more experience there, but I think they played a lot better in the second half." South head coach Chris Marcus agreed. "We made some mental errors in the first half and with kids who were backups last year, that's going to happen. But our second half was a heck of a lot better. Give Oakridge credit, though; they played hard. "We're trying to build on what happened last year. We talk about guys like Lawrence (Bowlby) and Jason Kyle, who are now at Western, and we tell the kids, 'Now it's your turn, but nothing's going to come easily. People are going to be coming after you every play.' " John Sonier scored the fifth South touchdown on a one-metre run set up by a 48-metre gallop on the previous play. Bell had four converts. This article was originally published in the London Free Press and on the London Free Press web site (www.fyilondon.com/londonfreepress). The London Free Press took the article down so a link to it no longer worked. This is my personal use copy, if you want this article please follow the London Free Press Copyright terms.

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