Gators Edge Bucs

On Saturday, June 22, the Calgary Gators travelled north to take on the Central Alberta Buccaneers in Alberta Football League (AFL) action.

The game was expected to be a thriller: both teams were undefeated coming into Saturday’s matchup and first place in the AFL was at stake. Fans in attendance enjoyed, in addition to the gridiron action, Ecole Lacombe Upper Elementary’s choir at halftime. Conducted by Bob Epp, the students performed a lively set of songs to an appreciative audience.

Head Coach, Duane Brown, knew that the game was going to be a struggle between the teams’ defenses. A defensive battle “is what you expect from two championship-caliber teams.” Neither the Bucs nor the Gators offense was able to move the ball consistently. There were zero points on the board until the Gators managed to score late in the first quarter. The Buc offense was unable to respond and was forced to punt often. Coach Brown said that “the offense just couldn’t get the bounce, the field position, or even the lucky break it needed to make that big play.”  For the remainder of the game, the Gators were unable to score another touchdown. However, they did kick a pair of field goals after the Buc defense slowed their offensive drives. The Bucs managed to score a couple of safeties after the defense tackled the Gator ball-carriers deep in their own endzone. The final score was 13-4.

Brown praised the play of the entire defense as a unit, but noted the play of twelve-year veteran Buccaneer, Dave Henderson. “He controlled things and drew attention, allowing others to get sacks and tackles for losses. He had an amazing game.” Brown was also pleased with the play of three young rookie players: Corban Knip, Dakota Haarstad, and Dustin Bomback. The trio played their senior year of highschool football in Lacombe last fall and “all played very well on special teams and earned tremendous respect for how they are improving while playing at this level.” The Buc defensive secondary also performed well, recording five interceptions and multiple knockdowns.

The Bucs have a bye week to reload before they take on the perennial powerhouse, the Calgary Wolfpack, 6pm, July 6^th, at Lacombe’s MeGlobal Field. “I believe our offense will be able to move the ball and am expecting a close score for the Bucs first ever victory over the Pack. Everyone knows our defense is fantastic and the Wolfpack offense is formidable to say the least. It will come down to who wants it more” said Brown.

(Recap & photo credits: Todd Lewis)