Badgers advance in playoffs

By Adelle Ellis, Times Reporter

The cold weather and 60 km/hr wind gusts didn’t stop the Strathmore Community Football Association (SCFA) bantam Badgers from playing their best game, both when the clock was running and when it was stopped.
Playing against Hunting Hills during the first week of the B playoffs on Oct. 26 at Great Chief Park in Red Deer, the bantam Badgers made some big hits and a small change to their roster which led the team to a 32-8 victory.
The miserable weather and quick lead on the scoreboard never dampened the team’s spirits, however, as they were quick to help the other team up and even exchanged high fives after good plays.
“It went awesome; the boys played really well, and they went out and they hit the kids hard,” said head coach Greg Zaugg. “But it was actually fun to watch; there would be a big hit and (the other team) would all be on the ground and our kids would be bending over and helping the other team up … it was great to watch them get to play that way, there was great sportsmanship.”
The bantam Badgers will be playing another team from Red Deer in the second week of playoffs for the division B gold medal game on Nov. 2, facing the Notre Dame Jr. Cougars for the second time this season and hoping to steal back a win after losing by only one touchdown earlier this season.
The winner of the division B gold medal game will have a chance at the tier II provincial semi-finals on Nov. 9.
Meanwhile the peewee Badgers battled the same poor weather conditions in their first playoff game of the season in Lacombe on Oct. 26 against the Lacombe Explosion.
Down 9-0 at half time, the team had to shake off those elements they couldn’t control, such as the weather, and focus on their own game – a strategy that worked in their favour as they scored a touchdown on the opening drive of the third quarter.
“Then we kicked off, recovered a fumble and scored a second touchdown; and then we had a back and forth game. We had a great drive in the fourth quarter that took us from our five (yard line) to their 30 (yard line). With three minutes left we let them run the ball down to our one-yard line and we did a tackle; then we did a goal-line stand and ran out the clock,” said head coach Doug Thiessen. “It was a little too exciting for their coach … it was a little nerve-wracking.”
The peewee Badgers will be heading into the B division league finals in Red Deer at Great Chief Park on Nov. 2 to take on the first place and undefeated team, the Red Deer Hornets.
Should all go according to plan and the peewee Badgers play their best game by making sure they’re getting their tackles in, playing a strong defence and making sure their offence stays on top of the other team, they hope to come out with a win and to attend provincials on Nov. 9.