Submitted
On July 25th, the Central Alberta Buccaneers (4-1) hosted the Fort McMurray Monarchs (4-1) in a game that most predicted would decide the number 2 team in the AFL (Alberta Football League).
The Bucs were coming off a 66-6 victory over the 2012 national champion Lloydminster Vandals while the Monarchs had welcomed the 2015 expansion team, the Airdrie Irish, with a 100-0 blowout.
The first quarter was rough on the Bucs. The offense struggled to tie plays together and, after being forced to punt quickly and often, special teams gave up many yards to the strong Monarch returners. As a result, the Bucs consistently had poor field position.
While defense was strong as usual, two blown coverages lead to 6 points each against the Bucs. They were able to gain some momentum in the second quarter after veteran player Dave Henderson "made some huge plays, especially on short yardage," said defensive back coach Duane Brown. The Bucs finished the half trailing 3-23.
In the second half, the Buccaneer play was stronger: the offense was stringing plays together into drives, special teams pinned the Monarchs with less yards surrendered, and the defense gave up a lone field goal. However, the same issues that have plagued the pirate squad were present on Saturday as well. "Penalties: number one killer of our offensive drives and also extended a bunch of [the Monarch's]," said linebacker Elliott Mabbott.
These costly errors not only prevented the Bucs from putting more points on the scoreboard, but wasted precious time that could have been used to mount a comeback against Fort McMurray. Offensive lineman Alex Ledwos added, "we need to work on discipline and iron out our timing. If we can eliminate some of those mistakes, we are a contender for the league championship this year."
Despite the final score of 33-9, and the mental and penalty errors, the Bucs were able to compete against a team whose offense scored 179 points in two games. Central Alberta showed that the AFL no longer has only two contenders for the league title (Gators and Monarchs).
The Buccaneers also held a clothing drive with the Line of Hope with the goal of raising clothes for the less fortunate in Central Alberta. Fans, players (both Bucs and Monarchs), and staff donated, resulting in a truck box full of clothes.
The Bucs have two weeks before they take on the #4 St. Albert Stars in a game that Coach Brown predicts, "Will be a fight. Two true power-football teams competing for third place in the AFL. I expect a hard-hitting game that whoever's passing game gets on-track will win." The Stars travel to Lacombe August 8th in order to take on the Bucs at MEGlobal Athletic Park.