ST. PAUL – The St. Paul Bengals reigned supreme as the 2023 champions of the Wheatland Bantam Football League, after a nail-biting showdown with long-time rivals, the Bonnyville Bandits.
During the first half of the game, both teams only scored one point each. Neither team could break through the other's defenses, leading to a stalemate until the second half.
It was during the third quarter, with under four minutes remaining, that the Bandits rushed through the field and scored their first touchdown to take the lead 7-1.
The Bandits kept up the momentum and pushed the Bengals to the final yard. The Bengals managed to defend their goal multiple times as the third quarter ended.
Moving into the final quarter, however, the Bengals’ defenses finally broke, and the Bandits scored their second touchdown.
With 11 minutes left in the game, the score was 13-1 in favour of the Bandits. While the Bengals tried to score, with frustration visible on the players, coaches kept their spirits up, but the Bandits’ defence proved to be tight.
Slowly, the Bengals marched down the field, pushing the Bandits. With nine minutes remaining, the Bengals’ Zack Germain scored their first touchdown of the game, earned the extra point, and brought the score to 13-8.
The Bengals only needed to score one more touchdown to win the game.
And after a gruelling battle, with just two minutes remaining on the clock, the Bengals created a clear path for Tyson Trefenanko to score that touchdown and take the lead 14-13.
The Bandits tried to make a comeback, but ultimately, the Bengals tightened their defences to shut them down, securing their second consecutive championship in the Wheatland Bantam Football League.
Being able to turn the tides, from 13-1 to 14-13, and winning the championship twice in a row feels amazing, said Trefenanko. While the team struggled for the first three quarters, “We just had to keep our heads up,” he said.
And with the provincials coming up next for the bantam team, when asked if he’s feeling confident, Trefenanko affirmed. “We’ve got a good team.”
Bengals’ head coach Derek Zapisocki said everyone knew it was going to be a tough game against the Bandits. He acknowledged the Bandits for having great coaches and a great football program.
“We just had to remember... as we’ve been preaching all year... to keep fighting,” he said. “Hats off to Bonnyville. It was a great game. What more do you want for a championship game? We’re grateful for that.”
Zapisocki also thanked all the fans and those who came out to support the Bengals.
Robbie Cole, head coach for the Bandits, agreed it was a hard-fought battle. “I’m really proud of my kids... digging deep and continuing to fight to the end,” said Cole.
The rivalry that exists between the Bengals and the Bandits is among the best rivalries that exist, said Cole, noting both teams have been back-and-forth with wins over the last few years.
He congratulated the Bengals on their win. “I really commemorate them today,” he said. “They played the whole game. They rose up and they did what they needed to do.”
But this isn’t the end, said Cole. With the upcoming provincial games, for Bandits supporters and fans, he said, “We’re not going to back down. We’ll be back.”
Both bantam teams qualified for the Bantam 9-A-Side provincial playoffs. The Bandits will be heading out to Grande Prairie to face the Broncos on Nov. 11 at noon at Hanson Lincoln Field for the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, the Bengals will host the North Edmonton Seahawks in St. Paul on Nov. 11 at 1 p.m.
