OLDS — The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #105 was packed Friday night, Nov. 22, as the Olds Amateur Football Association held its awards banquet.
Peewee Huskies award winners were: Most Valuable Player, Jared Sahli; Heart of a Huskie, Wyatt Taks; Top Lineman, Solomon Regehr; Most Improved Player, Conner Duquette; Top Offensive Player, Colten Reimer; Top Defensive Player, Matthew Wachtler; Rookie of the Year, Joe Davies.
Bantam Bulldogs award winners were: Most Valuable Player, Zane Cox; Heart of a Bulldog, Fourie Claassens; Top Offensive Player, Cadler Hallett; Top Defensive Player, Alex Andrew; Top Lineman, Logan O’Neil; Most Improved Player, Tyrus Stade; New Dog to the Pack (Rookie of the Year), Charlie Friolet.
Because of the Bulldogs’ strong season – they got into the playoffs before being crushed by the Ponoka bantam Broncs – they were eligable to send eight Bulldog players to attend the Central Alberta Football League’s all-star banquet.
Those players are Alex Andrew, Corben Christensen, Fourie Claassens, Zane Cox, Ethan Dietz, Jacob Dietz, Charlie Friolet and Logan O’Neil.
Huskies head coach Dennis Yurchevich and Bulldogs head coach Matt Sutherland thanked and praised all those who helped coaches and players this season, including fellow coaches, the board of directors, medics and of course the players’ family and other supporters.
“Without all of your tireless dedication on game days, bringing your kids to practices and games, we simply wouldn’t have a program,” Yurchevich said to the parents.
“Thank you for trusting and allowing us to teach your kids the greatest game out there and be a part of you and your kids’ lives.”
Yurchevich also thanked the Huskies players for their enthusiasm for and dedication to the game.
“Whether it was in the heat, the rain or the snow, you guys were out there giving it your all,” he said.
“It was fun coaching you all this year,” Yurchevich added.
“Winning or losing, watching you all develop and grow as individuals, players and teammates is why we do this.
Football is certainly a game like no other and we should all be proud to be part of it.”
Yurchevich admitted that due to the many rookies on the team this year it was an “uphill battle” to win games.
However, he said, “I feel as though we got there. So many great second-half battles, some great first-half efforts and eight hard-fought games.
“Even though the scoreboard didn’t always show it, you guys certainly could play like a championship-calibre team.”
Yurchevich wished Huskies players that are moving up to play football at the Bantam level great success and thanked those who may not be moving on for the opportunity to coach and get to know them and their families.
Sutherland admitted that while growing up, he didn’t play much football, except some flag football. He gravitated more to soccer.
However, since becoming a minor football coach, first on the defence, then as head coach, he’s come to love the game, especially the creativity of the offensive plays.
“Of all the sports I’ve ever watched, taken part in or coached, football is the absolute craziest of them all,” he said, citing the intensity and passion of the game.
Sutherland said football can be so intense and exciting that after one such game “I had to lie down in the grass behind the bleachers for a few minutes after talking to my wife, just to catch my breath.”
Sutherland noted the Bulldogs have had several great seasons now and the goal this season was to keep that streak going.
“As a Bulldogs team we have not lost at home in three years and this team showed that no one comes into our house and walks away with a win,” Sutherland said, sparking applause and shouts of ‘yeah.’
“This group is particularly close to my heart because I’ve followed some of them all the way through.”
Sutherland said despite having “not the best schedule” and missing some games due to other teams forfeiting, when they did play, the Bulldogs “players played with true grit and guts and they worked their hearts out.”
“This team can hold its head high, knowing that you have created a benchmark of competitiveness that we can continue on and that the players coming up from the Huskies can come into,” he said.
“I’m going to miss those players who move up that I’ve gotten to know and I’ve seen improve so much.”
He addressed the team’s many rookies.
“The players that had never played before – and we have a good number, there was a huge number of players that had never played before, rookies that came in and did amazing,” Sutherland said.
“It’s been an honour to be able to share the passion for the game of football with you. I hope that if you are moving up, that you continue to play and learn how much of a blessing football can be in your life.
“For the ones that are coming back next year, be ready, because we’re going to knock the socks off this league again.”
