The Bantam Titans had one of their best seasons ever, and left it on the field last Saturday, earning a provincial silver medal.
The Titans topped Lacombe last week to win the Central Alberta Football League 9-man championship. This earned them a spot in the Tier II Provincial Championship game, and on November 13, they hosted the Edmonton Seahawks.
The Seahawks proved to be a tough team and had the Titans down 22-0 at halftime. The Titans scored twice, but the Seahawks added one more, winning 30-12.
“They had quite a few more players than us, and there was a size difference there that we had to overcome, but they fought hard and came back in the second half, but we were just down by too much at the half,” said Coach Brad Iverson. “It was a very good year for sure, they came a long way from where we were.”
The win bodes well for the Drumheller Community Football program. About half of his players will move up to the senior level, while at the same time, they will have strong players from the Peewee Terrapins program moving up to Bantam.
“The Terrapins had a successful year too. Both teams have some good core players next year,” said Iverson.
This season the Bantams played nine-a-side football. It is too early to tell whether they will continue with this next season, or go back to 12 player football. This could depend on registration numbers as well as regulations for registrations by Football Canada. Coach Iverson said he found nine-man easier to manage as a coach. It was also good for skill development.
“The field is a little smaller, but you end up with more space out here. Offensively you can do some more things and have more room to work around others,” he said.