Thanks to a rallying defence, a few big offensive plays and a last-minute field goal kicked by Patrick Batke, the Bonnyville Voyageurs football team kicked off their season with a win over the Cold Lake Royals on Aug. 31.
Thanks to a rallying defence, a few big offensive plays and a last-minute field goal kicked by Patrick Batke, the Bonnyville Voyageurs football team kicked off their season with a win over the Cold Lake Royals on Aug. 31.
Despite faltering in the first quarter, Bonnyville's defensive line came together in the second, freezing Cold Lake with 9 points and allowing the offensive efforts to pay off in the fourth quarter.
Patrick Batke scored Bonnyville's first points with a touchdown and an extra point conversion about halfway through the final quarter, putting Bonnyville on the scoreboard with seven points to Cold Lake's nine.
Batke scored again in the final seconds of the game, landing a 35-yard field goal, scoring three additional points to end the game 10-9 for Bonnyville.
It was an excellent way to start off the season, according to coach Larry Godziuk, who said Bonnyville had not beaten Cold Lake in at least 12 years.
"We had hoped to come out a little better in the first half and we didn't but the boys really picked up their game in the second half," he said. "Patrick Batke picking up a last second field goal, no time on the clock, is really exciting."
It was particularly exciting for Batke, Godziuk explained.
"He missed a long field goal in a game last year and takes those to heart," he said. "He really, really kicked well."
The victory wasn't Batke's alone, however.
"The defence picked it up in the second half," Godziuk added. "We made some big offensive plays in the second half, lots of long completions that we might have had in the first half but just a little overthrown or not quite there. Overall, it was pretty exciting."
In particular, Godizuk mentioned linebacker Tyler Solowoniuk who made significant plays throughout the game as well as Mason Wyatt who made "many key tackles and delivered some punishing hits."
Dakota Letondre had three fumble recoveries.
Quarterback Jerad Churko "showed veteran leadership by rallying the team in the second half with some key runs and clutch throwing" and receiver Dawson Hamel made some key downfield catches that helped lead Bonnyville to victory.
"It's a very exciting way to start off the season," Godziuk said. "It's been about 12 years since we've beaten Cold Lake, so it's a pretty emotional win for the guys. We're pretty happy."
After a few away games in Lloydminster, the Voyageurs return to Walsh Field on Sept. 21 for the Scott MacDonald Memorial Game.
The Voyageurs followed their win against Cold Lake with an away game against the Lloydminster Barons this past Friday, losing 34-20 despite taking an early lead in the game.
Finishing out the first quarter leading 20-0, the Voyageurs began to falter as the Barons rallied and came on strong. They scored 10 points in the second quarter, three in the third, and in the fourth, scored 21 unanswered points to end the game 34-20.
According to Godziuk, the physical game left the Voyageurs with injuries in key positions and the team is looking to regroup and reorganize before returning to Lloydminster this Friday to face the Holy Rosary Raiders, league champions. Game time is 5 p.m.
