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Ponoka’s senior Broncs lost a tough consolation to Wetaskiwin

Penalties and errors in play affected Ponoka, which ended up deflating the team’s momentum
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Senior Broncs players envelope a Wetaskiwin Sabres player Nov. 1 during the consolation game. The team played a solid first half but ended up losing in the end. Photo by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye

A first ever consolation game for the Ponoka senior Broncs did not end as well as hoped.

Playing at home Nov. 1 against the Wetaskwin Sabres, Ponoka looked poised to win the consolation but it all seemed to fall apart at the end. That being said, this was a season of many firsts for the senior squad, which had its winningest season since its relatively recent inception.

Read More: Ponoka Broncs take hard-earned victory in final home game

For coach Cody Baird, despite the unforced errors on the field in this last game, the season as a whole is one to remember. Out of seven teams in the league, the Broncs placed fourth.

Considering past seasons where the team couldn’t even make a win, the 2018 football season is a positive one. “The best season ever. A winning record in the end,” said Baird.

During the game itself, the Broncs were behind at the half but they managed to tie it up 8-8 in the second half.

In the fourth quarter, the Sabres took over.

“That’s a well-coached team and we knew that going into that,” said Baird.

“Honestly, I think we lost that ourselves,” added coach Jamie Blinkhorn. “I don’t think it was anything they did. I think we had too many mistakes.”

Those mistakes and penalties added up, hurting the Broncs overall. Blinkhorn suggested those types of mistakes should be happening at the start of the season rather than in week eight.

Read More: Ponoka senior Broncs take second win of the season

Read More: PHOTO: Ponoka Broncs take on Sylvan Lake

After the game, Baird said all the coaches spoke on having pride despite the loss.

“A loss doesn’t change everything we have done this season,” he explained.

“It’s tough not to dwell on the final game,” added Blinkhorn. “But hopefully they remember this is the most successful season they’ve ever had.”

For many of the players this will be their last time playing team football so the loss is somewhat bitter sweet. For Blinkhorn, however, the team has seen upward growth, and the program continues to see improvements.

This was also the first year the Broncs saw themselves ranked in the Alberta High School Football Tier IV Top 10, for several weeks.

Both Baird and Blinkhorn added their gratitude to the parents and family volunteers who helped out during the year.



jeff.heyden-kaye@ponokanews.com

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A huge tackle gets Broncs’ Jaden Young and a Sabres player flying through the air. The effort was enough to gain the Broncs a few extra yards against Wetaskiwin.
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Broncs’ Joel Hollingsworth braces for impact as a Wetaskiwin Sabres player goes in for the tackle.
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Jared Bussiere looks for an opening against a tough Wetaskiwin Sabres defence Nov. 1 in the consolation game. Despite the loss, this was the Broncs’ best season since it was created a few years ago.
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Broncs’ Jaden Young looks for an opening while working to gain a few extra yards.