STORM LOSES CLOSE ONE

Sault Storm head coach Barry Rushon left North Bay satisfied despite a season-opening 38-32 loss to the Bulldogs in Northern Football Conference action on Saturday. "The guys played with a lot of heart. It's a game that could have gone either way," Rushon told SooToday.com. Steve Roberts, Keegan Franklin, Mario Briglio and Tim Higgins scored touchdowns for the Storm and Kyle Lansdell added a 32-yard field goal and one convert for the locals. Higgins -- the Storm's rookie quarterback -- added a pair of two-point conversions in astirring NFC debut. "Higgins looked really good for us," said Rushon of the QB, who completed 11 of 13 passes for 198 yards and a scoring strike to Briglio. Higgins also rushed for 98 yards while running back Toby Traveson collected 89 yards on the ground. Rookie receiver Ron Kelly had a big game for the Storm with five catches for 112 yards. Defensively, rookie linebacker Jason Giosa led the Storm with eight tackles.