The Ponoka Bantam Broncs football team travelled to Lacombe on Saturday, May 28, to compete in a jamboree-style tournament.
A jamboree is focused mainly on player development. Teams compete in 50 minute games that don’t involve special teams. Coaches are allowed on the field so they can help with players’ positioning and technique.
Each team has 10 offence or defence plays at a time, regardless of a play’s outcome. After 10, teams swap to the opposite system. This process continues until time runs out. In addition to Ponoka, Lacombe, Hanna, Rocky, and Drumheller all competed.
“This was the strongest showing in the Lacombe Jamboree that the Bantam Broncs have ever had,” said Broncs head coach Todd Lewis.
“All Broncs had numerous meaningful reps and all showed improvement through the day’s four games. The team was efficient, organized, and determined.”
On defence, players were consistently in the correct positions to make plays and executed their assignment, said Lewis.
“Our Broncs also demonstrated some vicious tackling, making opponents pay for every inch.”
Lewis said the Broncs were “explosive” on offence.
“The team’s running backs could move the ball easily with excellent downfield blocking; our quarterbacks executed passing plays like they were on a senior team, notching six passing touchdowns and 0 interceptions.”
Nine separate Broncs scored touchdowns.
A few standout players from the Jamboree were Westin Strongman, playing all over the field and scoring four touchdowns, Truce Beaverbones with some “crushing” tackles and six touchdowns, Carson MacKay with his blocks setting up huge lanes for ball carriers, and Kingston Siguenza, a “terror in the trenches” consistently driving opponents backwards.
“On the sideline, players were loud and involved. Their cheers often drowned out opposing teams’ QBs, fuelling the Broncs playing on the field.”
Lewis said this level of play doesn’t usually show itself until mid-regular season in the fall.
He said the team’s strength is due to numerous returning players from the 2021 season and skills learned at the first annual Spring Camp Weekend May 5 to 7.
At the camp, players stayed at Crestomere School for an entire weekend that was devoted to football.
In addition to numerous practices, players had time to learn from chalk-talks, game film, positional groups, and fitness/flexibility sessions.
“Most importantly, the camp gave our new group a chance to bond and come together as a team,” said Lewis.
The Broncs have one week left in their spring season, finishing off with a home game against the Rocky Rebels on Saturday, June 4. Time to be announced.
