Ponoka’s Junior Broncs lost their third game in a row but their “monumental improvement” over the last three weeks has given the coaching staff a lot of reason to expect much better results in the weeks ahead.
Hosting Lindsay Thurber Raiders of Red Deer on Saturday, Sept. 13, the Broncs started the game as the underdogs and the visitors quickly scored two back-to-back touchdowns to take a 16-0 lead having converted both kicks after their touchdowns. Then Noah Longjohn of the Broncs scored a touchdown with a spectacular rushing play and raised the hopes of Ponoka boys.
The Raiders’ offense, however, was unstoppable as they switched frequently between passing and rushing plays and easily finding holes to sneak in through the Broncs’ defense line. Procedural errors and early scrimmage line movements were not helping the Ponoka boys, either. Due to early moves and offsides, Broncs lost a lot of yardage throughout the game.
After the first half which ended 26-6, the Raiders scored another touchdown and converted the kick, making the score 34-6. In the meantime, Broncs offense started to lean heavily on Bradly MacCallum, who, using the advantage of his size, bulldozed his way through the Raiders defense, advancing the ball for the local boys and getting a few first downs on the way.
After one of these first downs in the third period, Sean Rowland, finding an excellent corridor on the right side of the field scored a 55 yard touchdown and made it 34-12. With Connor Stiles converting the kick, Broncs made it to 14. But before the end of the game, the visitors scored just another touchdown and the game ended with a score of 40-14.
Head coach Scott MacGregor said after the game he was very happy with having scored two touchdowns against a team like Raiders and with the fact that Broncs had converted for the first time after a touchdown.
“The kids have still a tonne to learn, but the improvement over the three weeks has just been monumental.”
“We are getting better and better and they understand the game,” MacGregor added.