The bantam Broncs football team played their last fall developmental season game at home on Sunday, Nov. 1, to full stands of supportive spectators.
It was fine weather for the occasion, but struggling on some points, the Broncs ultimately lost the game 52-18 to the Rocky Mountain House Rams.
“While Rocky deserved the win, the score was not indicative of the game,” said head coach Todd Lewis.
Lewis says the Broncs had inconsistent tackling that lead to the lopsided score.
“In terms of ball movement and individual plays, both teams were fairly even.”
There were multiple times the defence carried out its plays properly and the Broncs had the ball carrier funnelled but they couldn’t finish with form tackles, says Lewis.
One tackle that didn’t fall flat, however, was a cleanly executed take down by Bronc No. 11 Kadyn Reinbold, near the end of the first half.
“That was a great tackle,” said Reinbold.
“It had my adrenaline pumping; I knew he had the ball and I saw there was a wide open hole so I just ran at him as quick as I could.”
Although Lewis says aspects of the game were frustrating, the good news is that the Broncs will have time to improve in the spring, when they will have their regular season.
Normally, the Grade 9s would graduate to the senior team, but this year they get to stay on the Bantam team in spring.
Lewis and the other coaches organized the league so the players could play some fall football, but the CAFL season will be in the spring.
“Typically around this time it’s a bittersweet feeling: usually we’re getting ready to say goodbye to the team as it is and departing Grade 9 players but because we still get to have our spring season, it’s great knowing that this exact squad — and some new recruits — will be returning in the spring to continue our football journey,” said Lewis.
“The developmental season as a whole was massive success. Our players made huge strides forward in their football development and showed tons of heart and character throughout the fall.”
“There has definitely been lots of exciting moments this year,” said Reinbold.
“I have been playing all over the field this year in different positions, including quarter back, tail back, linebacker and half back. Huge thanks to Coach Lewis for the great coaching, and helping me improve my football skills over the past two years.”
Captain Danyl Deardren, No. 27, is in Grade 9, and will be able to continue with the team in the spring.
“I feel that the team will be left in great hands with the coaches and returning players,” he said.
“I think the team has really grown as a family. We started out as classmates and friends that went to the same school but now I feel we really are just one big family.”
“Our developmental season was fantastic,” said Lewis.
“The kids really came together as a team and are a close knit unit. They played consistently with effort and heart, modelling the football values and attitudes coaches taught. The mindset our team developed will put them in a position to succeed in our spring regular season and beyond.”
The team also played a bonus rematch game against Rocky at the Dome in Red Deer the following weekend.
