A playoff win was not in the cards for the Ponoka Broncs senior football squad.
The team hosted the Rocky Mountain House Rebels Oct. 25 with the hopes they could defeat the Rebels a second time. The Broncs beat the Rebels a few weeks ago at home.
Sadly, despite several key turnovers in the fourth quarter, the Broncs were unable to find the win they wanted.
This time around the Rebels defeated the Broncs 18-13 in a relatively close game for both teams.
In the third quarter is when things started to happen. The Broncs managed to claw their way to the Rebels end with first and goal. At this point in the game Ponoka was down 12-7 and they hoped to run in the ball for an easy touchdown.
The Rocky defence wasn’t having it and they held Ponoka from scoring, forcing a turnover. Close to their own end, Rocky took possession and the team appeared ready to make things happen.
A fast pass from the Rocky quarterback was thrown straight to its target but seemingly out of nowhere, Jared Bussiere came from behind and intercepted the ball, which got the team a much-needed touchdown.
Co-coach Jamie Blinkhorn was pleased with the team’s offensive line. “Our standard offence moved the ball the most.”
“When we stuck to that we drove the field a couple times.”
The Rebels managed to hold the Broncs from scoring not once, but twice at the end zone.
“When we’re at the end zone we just have to find better ways of punching it in,” said Blinkhorn.
There was some success on the field. The Broncs prevented a field goal attempt and managed to recover the ball. “That’s when you pull out all the stops,” said co-coach Cody Baird, adding that the team played with heart.
After the interception, the Ponoka players were rejuvenated and ready for the fourth quarter but a long pass from the Rebels’ quarterback found its player, which landed the team a huge touchdown with the pass coming from way back in their own end.
Despite the score sitting at 18-13, Ponoka’s defence managed to find several opportunities within the last few minutes to regain possession.
The Rebels’ defence, however, was able to read every single one of the Broncs’ running plays, which halted their efforts to move the ball forward.
Although the Broncs are done for the season, coaches are proud of the players’ efforts pointing out that this is the second home playoff game the team has seen.
For next season the team’s numbers should stay pretty similar to what it was this year. The difference, said Blinkhorn, is there are only a handful of players graduating with the majority coming back next year.