With all three levels of the Broncs playing in town on single day, it's Football Day in Ponoka on Sept. 21.
"This is the first time we have had all three teams - the peewees, bantams, and the seniors - kicking off at home, on the same day, back-to-back-to-back," said Todd Lewis, head coach.
"The Bantam Broncs are kicking off at 10 a.m., followed by the Peewee Broncs at 1 p.m. and then the Senior Broncs at 4 p.m. We've got dozens of Ponoka-area kids who have worked so hard to become the football players that they are.
"To have fans fill the bleachers is not only important because it's cool to have a lot of people; it's important because people need to see the results of these kids' hard work. They have completely dedicated and committed themselves to excellence, and to growing as people. So the more folks we have in the stands, the better."
Lewis noted there are lots of festivities planned as well, including a grand entry, a half-time show, the Ponoka Piston Poppers, the Ponoka Community Market, concessions, a silent auction, a barbecue, and fireworks.
"Truly, it's not just a football day - it's a community day," he said.
"Without our community, our program really wouldn't exist. It's going to be a great event."
Another highlight will be when the peewees and their moms have a tackle competition, he added. "We did that last year, and it's a hoot!"
Meanwhile, the bantams and peewees are off to a terrific start this season already, said Lewis.
"Our season for the peewees started on Aug. 31," said Lewis. "We kicked off in Rocky, and Rocky's peewee program is quite strong, so we know that we were going in for one heck of a battle."
Lewis noted both teams made a few errors along with way, but both showed a real solid resilience, too.
"It was punch for punch. We got up on them early, and then they came back and got ahead on us, then we came back. It was back and both, blow for blow," he said.
Things wrapped up 20-18 for the broncs.
"Every single one of our players had quite a bit of playing time - it was just a fantastic way to start the season. To upset a great team like the Rocky Junior Rebels peewee team - that was pretty cool. It also showed there is a lot of potential with our peewee team, too."
The bantams started things up in Drumheller on Sept. 7, along with the peewees as well.
"The bantams kicked off first. This was a big game - not only because it was the season opener, but also because Drumheller has kind of had our number the past couple of seasons - including last year, when they booted us out of play-off contention in semi-finals.
"So this was a big game for us! Drumheller is a talented, athletic team. They are well-coached."
But the bantams were clearly up to the challenge.
"We had a really strong spring season, and a strong fall camp," said Lewis. "So our players kind of had that game circled on their calendar, too.
"We started off really strong," he said, adding a top-notch defensive system helped fend off Drumheller's strong plays. Ultimately, the game proved pretty explosive both ways.
"Our defence, for the most part, held them extremely well. They tackled efficiently, they pursued the ball relentlessly, and they only gave up 14 points the entire game," he said.
"With the offense, it was the same thing. They were explosive, they capitalized on every opportunity that they were given, and they blocked tenaciously.
"They looked like they were in mid-season form," he said.
"And so, that was a great start to the season for the bantams - they won 46 to 12. The peewees kicked off after that, and they also had a really strong showing. Defensively, they were very strong - they only gave up seven points."
They ultimately triumphed 40-to 7.
On Sept. 14, only the bantams played, again in Rocky.
"It was an extremely solid game by our bantams," he said.
"Also everyone on the sideline is the 10th player, because everyone has value, and everyone has impact. And our '10th player' absolutely showed up. They were loud, engaged, enthusiastic, and most importantly, they were resilient," he said.
The bantams were pretty much in control for much of the game, despite landing a number of penalties.
"When that happens, it's easy to let that take over," he said. "But again, the kids were resilient, and mentally tough. They made the choice to be resilient, and to focus on what was in their control. And what was in their control was to change how we played," he said.
"It was a fantastic game. Every single bantam got to play a lot, and it was just a fantastic night," he said, adding the final score was a stunning 50-0 for the broncs.
Lewis noted that to date, all three levels of the Broncs are sitting at 2-0 for the season.
The wins are terrific to achieve, but it also all points to the kids being really strong teammates with character to boot, he said.
"It's the first time in our history all three teams have had such a strong start. I think it's all indicative of how far the program has come."
Next up, Olds bantam and peewee teams are heading to Ponoka on Sept. 28.
"They've kind of had our number the past couple of year, like Drumheller.
"It's going to be fantastic. These games are definitely ones that the fans won't want to miss."
