Drillers drop home opener to Raiders

By Eric
- Tweet
- Pin It
Updated: June 12, 2016

Ty Clett, left, of the Grande Prairie Drillers, tries to fend off an Edmonton Raiders opponent, in Alberta Football League action on Saturday June 11, 2016 at Legion Field in Grande Prairie, Alta. Logan Clow/Grande Prairie Daily Herald-Tribune/Postmedia Network

Logan Clow – Daily Herald Tribune – Sunday, June 12, 2016

Slick field conditions coupled with mental mistakes was the difference for the Grande Prairie Drillers Saturday at Legion Field.

The Drillers dropped to 0-2 this season with a 13-11 loss in their Alberta Football League home opener against the Edmonton Raiders, despite holding a 10-0 advantage at half-time.

“That was our game to win but mental mistakes just cost us,” said Jay White, president of the Drillers and line coach, noting wet and muddy field conditions presented a challenge for both teams.

“(In the first-half) I think we just pounded the ball. We drove the ball down their throat and we ran the ball good and we capitalized on a nice passing play to Jesse Deering, who took advantage of a little bit of a change-up in the offensive strategy and that paid dividends.”

White said mental mistakes ultimately cost the Drillers a victory in the second-half.

“It was just missed opportunities. It really came down to mental mistakes and not being able to capitalize on a few drives. Full credit to (the Raiders). They came out in the fourth quarter and it was mostly on us; we just had too many mental mistakes,” said White.

The Drillers look for their first win of the season when they travel to play the Fort McMurray Monarchs June 18.

It’s the first home game of the season for the Monarchs at Shell Place. As residents have began to recently make their way back home after fleeing the city during the wildfires, Saturday’s game in Fort McMurray will be free to the public and the team will be showcasing their appreciation the area service workers.

The Monarchs are off to a 2-1 start to their season following a 44-0 victory over the Airdrie Irish on Saturday.

“We have to (win). It’s not going to be easy,” said White, of their trip up north.

“We don’t want to start (the season) 0-3. It’s going to be a tough game in Fort McMurray. We’re going to have to put in a lot of work in this week to prep for that and hope to pull (out a win) because they’re a great team. We just have to keep battling. I have full confidence in the guys. We just have to eliminate the mental mistakes.”

The Drillers’ next home game is June 25 against the Lloydminster Vandals at 6 p.m. at Legion Field.

[email protected]

Twitter: @DHTLogan