Former Bonnyville Voyageurs are continuing to make waves in the provincial football scene with two more local players making junior rosters.
Jeremy Fagnan and his younger brother Isaac Fagnan were both named to the Edmonton Wildcats Football Club after competing in open tryouts on May 6 and 7.
The two products of the Bonnyville Amateur Football Association were part of 167 players to flock down to Edmonton earlier this month to try out for the Prairie Football Conference squad.
“Bonnyville is a hockey town. Everybody is into hockey,” said Jeremy. “There aren't a whole lot of people who go to the next step in football.”
Along with the Fagnans four other former Voyageurs took the trip to Edmonton to try out for the Wildcats. Chad Moore, Steven Snyder, Conor Littlewood and Brady Becvar all attended the open camp.
After the dust settled both Fagnan brothers found themselves among the 70 players who made it though the two-day event and were given spots on the roster.
“You are always a little surprised and excited when you make the team,” said Isaac, who played for the Voyageurs last season.
Isaac was given the confidence to try out for the Wildcats squad after successfully making the Northern Alberta all-star team roster. He suited up in the 2015 Senior Bowl this past weekend at McMahon Stadium in Calgary.
As for the Wildcats, Isaac had no idea what to expect in making the jump to the junior football level.
“It was a little intimidating at the start, but as it went on I was able to get more comfortable,” said Isaac. “Going to the junior level you really don't know what to expect. It is a big jump from high school.”
Isaac spent his final season playing both offense and defense for the Voyageurs high school team. His primary position is receiver.
In 2014 with the Voyageurs he picked up 25 receptions for 476 yards and two touchdowns. The numbers were comparable to the stats he amassed in his previous two season combined. Overall he finished his Voyageurs career with 57 receptions for 828 yards and six touchdowns.
He will be suiting up in his first junior season along side his brother Jeremy for the first time in both of their football careers.
Jeremy's story is slightly different than Isaac's as he finished his time with the Voyageurs in 2012. He went on to play junior football for two seasons with the Saskatoon Hilltops before a serious concussion sidelined him.
The concussion resulted in him losing half a season and deciding to take all of last year off.
Isaac's jump to the Senior Bowl and interest in attending the Wildcats selection camp were part of the reason why Jeremy decided to give football another go.
“My goal when I first started playing football was to play as long as I could,” said Jeremy. “Throughout (the time off) I have been staying in shape thinking in the back of my mind that I could still play.”
He decided to get back on to the field and give it a try just to see if he could continue playing at the junior level.
While at camp, Jeremy admitted to being a tad nervous before stepping out on to the field.
“I was confident but there were still some nerves,” said Jeremy. “Just being away from the game for so long led me to being a little nervous.”
Once he ran through several drills and got back into it, Jeremy says he felt fine and was able to settle in and compete for a spot as a defensive back.
Along with still having that desire to still play football Jeremy admitted to not wanting to be outdone by Isaac.
“I can't let him show me up yet,” said Jeremy. “I've got to get these old man bones back on the field.”
As for Isacc, Jeremy feels his younger brother has what it takes to succeed at the Junior level and expects him to compete for a starting receivers role.
“He definitely has what it takes. I feel if he can put on a little more weight before the end of the year he will definitely be challenging for the starting squad.”
The Wildcats season will kick off on August 15 against the Edmonton Huskies.
