Badgers forfeit home opener due to injuries, small roster

Posted on: Staff Writer

From edition: September 6 2019 Strathmore Times

By Adelle Ellis, Times Reporter

The pee wee Badgers opened their 2019 football season on Aug. 31 at Crowther Memorial Junior High School against the Red Deer Steelers. Unfortunately, with bad weather closing in and injuries plaguing the team, the Badgers had to call the game at half time. The Steelers, at that point were ahead 14-0. Doug Taylor Photo

The pee wee Badgers opened their 2019 football season on Aug. 31 at Crowther Memorial Junior High School against the Red Deer Steelers. Unfortunately, with bad weather closing in and injuries plaguing the team, the Badgers had to call the game at half time. The Steelers, at that point were ahead 14-0.
Doug Taylor Photo
The Strathmore Community Football Association (SCFA) Badgers pee wee team played their season and home opener on Aug. 31 at Crowther Memorial Junior High School (CMJHS) field against the Red Deer Steelers, unfortunately forfeiting due to four sustained injuries and a short roster.
Entering the game short-handed with 15 players due to several players being away during the long weekend, the Badgers showed no weakness as they carried the ball for all except two minutes during the first quarter. It was at the end of that first quarter where trouble ensued with the first of four subsequent injuries taking place.
Down to only 11 players at half time and with the score clock reading 14-0, head coach Doug Thiessen made the call to forfeit the game, much to several players’ dismay.
“The kids played with everything they had, they actually didn’t want to forfeit, they wanted to try to keep playing the game, they didn’t want to quit so they’ve got good heart,” said Thiessen, who added that the usual current roster sits at 22 players. He said he hopes to recruit 10 to 15 new players during the three practices this week.
None of the injuries sustained were too severe that the players won’t be back and Thiessen looks forward to having a larger roster for their next game on Sept. 7 at 2 p.m. in Lacombe against the Lacombe Explosion.
“I’m impressed with how the kids played and with how they all wanted to be out there. They were all giving it everything they had and all that is really positive. The big thing was they had some fun and we will see where we go next,” said Thiessen.
Meanwhile, the SCFA bantam Badgers will have their season opener on Sept. 7 at noon in Springbank against the Springbank Phoenix.