The 24th annual Steel City Bowl was held this past weekend at Ron Joyce Stadium. A yearly all-star game held in Hamilton, the event hosts some of the best high school level football players from the Hamilton-Wentworth area and is coached but some of the most experienced football minds in the area.
The east side claimed a 7-0 lead opening up scoring in the game, but would eventually fall behind 14-7 as the west took control. In the end however, Hamilton Hurricanes coach Jason Hayes and his talented team of young footballers claimed a hard fought 22-14 victory.
Team West’s coach Stefan Ptaszek, whom also coaches the McMaster football team was impressed by the performance of the kids and is happy with the way the entire week of preparation and practice went.
“It was a wonderful experience,” said Ptaszek. “Every young male that we had the privilege of coaching was respectful and worked hard, just a great week all week.”
Those involved in the bowl game attend a series of practices throught the week in order to prepare for the game and improve their skill set, something that Ptaszek believes is the most important part of the whole experience.
“An all-star game is in itself is tough to showcase what you can do, that’s why you kind of look at it as a whole week,” Ptaszek explained. “All week you get to do one-on-ones and improve your man-to-man skills, and learn from players on both sides interacting. The process as a whole is to get better as a football player and bring all the things that you learned back to your respective high schools.”
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