It was a spectacular show under the Friday-night lights of Walsh Field between the Bonnyville Voyageurs the Cold Lake Royals for the second annual Scott MacDonald Memorial Fundraiser.
Both teams battled until the very last play, before Cold Lake hit the game-winning field goal in extra time to defeat the Voyageurs 10-7.
Despite Friday's loss, Voyageurs coach Roger Desjarlais said he was proud of his team for the performance they put on in front of one of the largest home crowds in team history.
“The boys gave everything they got. We had guys playing like demons out there on both sides of the ball, leaving it all on the field,” said Desjarlais. “We gave our 500-plus fans a hell of a show.
“It's a tough way to lose. One point either way could have changed it. They were going for it and we were going for it and nobody gave an inch. We are warriors and we are nothing but proud of our boys.”
From the opening kickoff a defensive battle ensued.
Both teams were forced to punt on several occasions through the first quarter, keeping it scoreless until halfway through the second.
With a little over five minutes to play in the second quarter, Voyageurs quarterback Jeremy Fagnan stepped back and bombed a pass downfield. Receiver Nathan Desgagne made the smooth catch and run to finish off the touchdown play, giving Bonnyville the 7-0 lead heading into halftime.
The Voyageurs appeared poised to score again halfway through the third quarter but the Royals forced a Voyageurs fumble near the goal-line and Cold Lake recovered, ending Bonnyville's drive.
Bonnyville's defence continued to press the Royals, forcing punt after punt.
But with the fourth quarter ticking down, the Royals finally broke through, rushing it in for the touchdown and tying the game at 7-7 with five minutes remaining.
The Voyageurs could have played it safe as the clock ran down, but instead the defence stepped it up and Fagnan, at this point playing defensive back, made an aggressive play on a Royals pass and picked it off inside the Royals 20-yard line, setting up a last minute attempt for the Voyageurs to kick a winning field goal.
However, Bonnyville missed the field goal and forced the game into extra time.
The Voyageurs won the coin toss and had possession first in the sudden-death overtime period.
But on Bonnyville's first pass attempt, the Royals intercepted it and got their own shot at winning the game.
The next play, the Royals hit the game-winning field goal to devastate the Voyageurs.
Bonnyville receiver Alex Lessard was proud of the way his team battled against one of the top teams in the league.
“Personally, I think our team played amazing, it just wasn't enough. That was our game from the start but there were a few key plays that we should have made that cost us the game,” he said. “I know, from this, we can stand and play with any team in the league”
Desjarlais said, as a coach, there was nothing more he could have asked for from his players.
“Everybody on the field gave it 110 per cent. And, win or lose, when your players give 110 per cent, you are proud of them.”
The Voyageurs will play two games this week.
The first is an exhibition game in Westlock tonight. Bonnyville then travels to St. Paul for a game against the Lions Friday at 5 p.m.
