The Bonnyville Renegades are league champions for the first time in the peewee football team's two-year history.
The Renegades battled through the slush and snow on Sunday afternoon in Lloydminster and toughed out a 26-20 victory over the defending champion Lloydminster Steelers.
“It snowed and rained all day. It was an ice bowl. We had kids with purple fingers and purple toes. They were frozen and they just never gave up,” said Renegades head coach Kevin Sartain. “I have never been so proud of 42 young men and one young lady in my entire life.”
Like they have done all season Bonnyville leaned on four players to provide the scoring, while getting great performances out of the offense and defense.
Mason Sartain, Mason Ward, Duncan Critch and Brodie Gamble provided the Bonnyville touchdowns, while the defense did their part in holding the Steelers to 20 points.
Although those four players provided the points, Sartain was proud of another group of players who hung in tough throughout the day.
“I want to mention the 15 kids on our team that didn't get into the game. It was a hard fought game and we just couldn't put in our younger players,” said Sartain. “It was rainy, cold and snowy and every one of those kids stood on that sideline and jumped up and down and cheered that whole game without going in. They were freezing their little butts off and they never stopped cheering for their team. They are our unsung hero's.”
The game came right down to the wire as Lloydminster was able to run the ball in from about 40 yards out to bring themselves within six points with a minute remaining. Bonnyville's offense killed the clock down and the defense made one more huge stop with one second remaining.
The Bonnyville coaching staff named Mason Sartain as game MVP.
“The other coaches, not me, decided that Mason was the game MVP,” said coach Kevin Sartain. “He had so many tackles and so many great runs on special teams and on offense. It was unreal.”
The win was even more satisfying for the Renegades after having been clobbered 67-37 by the Steelers in last year's championship game.
“I feel like I have redeemed myself a little bit. I was a first year head coach and we went right to the line. We had a great first half last year and then they scored 47 unanswered points on us. To play that same team, to have a dogfight and to pull it out was great,” said Sartain.
About 100 fans made the trek down to Lloydminster to watch the Renegades capture their first ever league championship. Sartain was grateful for the support the parents and the community show for the young peewee football team.
“We had a lot of support and they didn't leave. They toughed it out,” said Sartain. “To the Bonnyville Renegades parents, thank you for supporting us the way you do. It is unreal the support that we have. They make it happen for us.”
Among those coming down to support the Renegades was Brian Walsh, who coached Sartain and many others during his decades of involvement in Bonnyville football. According to Sartain, it was the first time Walsh had ever seen a Bonnyville team win a championship.
“To coach Brian Walsh, thank you so much for giving us 30 years. We are all here because of him.”
Sartain will take the knowledge imparted on him from Walsh and use it to build a game plan going into next weekend's matchup.
The Renegades season continues as they represent the region in provincial play. They will go up against an unfamiliar foe on Saturday (Nov. 8) in Red Deer when they take on Sylvan Lake. Sartain says the game plan won't change much.
“We are not going to change our game plan. We can't,” said Sartain. “We are going to add in a couple new plays and we are going to stick to our game plan. A solid defense will win us championships.”
