Great day to be a Badger

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

For the first time in recent history, all Strathmore Badgers Community Football teams will be heading to the post-season in the coming weeks.
Peewee head coach Clinton Bean was excited for his groups when describing his team’s 66-18 win over the Red Deer Hornets.
“Ecstatic,” said Bean. “We came out here today to have fun. It was a beautiful October day and the kids responded. They had a great day and scored a few too many touchdowns. I was trying to call some plays and they were still in the end zone.”
Bean saw a lot of positive signs on both sides of the ball as the offensive and defensive side of the ball improved.
The bantams, on the other hand, finished the season undefeated at 5-0, winning 37-19 over a much bigger and physical Innisfail team.
Coach Sean Seafoot thinks this was a game his team needed in order to get ready for the playoffs in two weeks time.
“They had short numbers as well but they had some big boys that played both sides on their team,” said Seafoot. “Perseverance was key in this game for sure. We had lots of injuries and guys stepping up. Our defensive end played some offensive line. It was tough, we had to toss guys around. They had big boys, we couldn’t run up the middle on them at all.”
In order to move the ball around more, the team moved the ball to the outside more and used their passing game effectively.
Seafoot thinks to stay sharp for playoffs, they’ll have to keep improving their games to the next level and stay focused for 60 minutes and learn from the Innisfail game.
The old saying ‘you save the best for last,’ seemed to work for the senior Badgers as they won their last game of the season 59-50 over the Crossfield/Carstairs Tigers. The victory was a reason to celebrate as it offered the team a spot in the playoffs.
“From a coach’s point of view, we really needed guys to come out and dedicate their time,” said head coach Brad Middlemiss. “Once they started dedicating their time it shows in their abilities. Once they came out learned how to play football it showed. It was good for everyone to come out and pull off the win.”
Middlemiss added that the key to the win was his offense having an outstanding game.
“I’m just happy for these guys, they really deserved it,” he said.
Their playoff opponent will be Innisfail on Oct. 24 at 2:30 p.m. Until then, Middlemiss and the team will get back on the practice field and work on their defense.