Vandals running back Curtis Vetter charges through a hole Saturday during the third quarter of Lloydminster’s 21-10 win against the Grande Prairie Drillers at Armstrong Field. Jamie Harkins/Meridian Booster
The Lloydminster Vandals senior football team’s latest game against the Grand Prairie Drillers follows the path it has taken in recent years.
The Vandals (2-1) suffered through a grinding first half at Armstrong Field on Saturday thanks to the smash mouth attack of the Drillers offensive line and running back Tristan Werklund.
The home side’s inability to execute on their chances in the red zone also played a part in the club facing a 7-0 deficit at halftime.
An early rush in the third quarter led by Vandals running backs Curtis Vetter and Sasha Jackow culminating in a third-and-five pass from quarterback Mike Holman to Matt Holman for the major brought the score back even.
The two connected once again early in the fourth quarter with the receiver converting on a lucky play to put the Vandals ahead 14-7.
“It was a tipped ball in the end zone,” said Vandals receiver and coach Glen Dembicki.
“One of our receivers went up for it and it got tipped and another guy caught it. Everybody is playing a little tight in a low scoring game like that, and as soon as you can get (ahead), it kind of opens the floodgates. You can see the pressure mount and everybody gets going.”
Lloydminster added to the lead on their next possession with a quarterback keep from Grande Prairie’s three-yard line.
Mike Derkach kicked all three converts for the home side in the 21-10 win, while Tyler Fulmek scored three field goals for the Drillers (1-2) with the remaining point coming on a first quarter safety.
“We came down with five linemen, so we gassed ourselves out,” said Drillers slot back and coach Jordon Fersch.
“Lloyd, they made a good game plan in the second half and they stopped our run game.”
Dembicki said the Vandals have been plagued with a short-staffed roster since losing upwards of 30 players after their Canadian Major Football League championship season in 2012, but they do have a majority of last year’s squad that went 2-6 in the Alberta Football League back this year and have added another 10 to 12 players.
He said those strong numbers means they could be looking at a return to playoff football.
“I’m happy where we are right now in the season,” said Dembicki, who noted the Vandals will be back at Armstrong Field this Saturday at 5 p.m. for a game against the Calgary Wolfpack (0-3).
“There is a lot of games left to be played and (we’ll face) tougher games in the second half, so we’ll keep on doing what we’re doing, try to keep working in practice and keep getting better.”
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The Fort McMurray Monarchs took over sole possession of first place in the Alberta Football League, beating up on the Calgary Wolfpack while the Central Alberta Buccaneers teams had their perfect seasons disrupted by the Calgary Gators. Robert Murray/Fort McMurray Today/Postmedia Network
Robert Murray – Fort McMurray Today – Tuesday, June 13, 2017
It took three weeks of play, but the Fort McMurray Monarchs have finally created space for themselves at the top of the Alberta Football League.
In a game filled with endless statistics, a 51-0 beatdown of the Calgary Wolfpack was the only major statistic worth reporting as one of the league’s haves beat up on one of the league’s have-nots.
“Every football game is a challenge,” said Monarchs head coach Dave Spence. “Unfortunately, we were ready to play and they weren’t. I think we did remarkably well even though we had seven starters out of the game that were working or were injury-related and we were still able to dominate them.
“It was a good day for us.”
The victory pushed the Monarchs to 3-0 and into the lone possession of first place in the AFL while the Wolfpack fell to 0-3. The result or final score should have hardly come as a surprise. In a league with few upsets, the status quo remained in the positions they should.
The one notable exception to that was the Calgary Gators topping the Central Alberta Buccaneers Saturday 28-7 to drop the Bucs to 2-1 in the standings. The St. Albert Stars remained perfect with a 2-0 record and will likely stay that way until a July 8 meeting against the Monarchs.
“Unfortunately, the bottom half teams haven’t quite figured it out yet and how to be competitive on a high level,” added Spence. “You’re going to have these games on your schedule. You have some good teams in the Bucs and the Stars and the Gators and us.
“Then you’ve got the bottom half that are still learning.”
The discrepancy is especially telling when you look at the offensive numbers as the Monarchs have scored more points than the bottom five teams in the league combined. With their third home game coming up Saturday against the 0-2 Parkland Predators, even Spence is forecasting a game similar to the ones against the Airdire Irish and Wolfpack, where the focus would not be as much on his opponents as it will be keeping his own team battle ready.
“That’s definitely a little bit of a concern of mine, is making sure these guys don’t fall asleep when we do face good competition,” continued Spence. “We try to keep it interesting and mix some different guys in the lineup.
“We know we’re the champions and we’re just trying to defend that.”
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The Central Alberta Buccaneers get into the thick of a scrum June 10 against the Calgary Gators. The challenge proved too tough and the Bucs lost 28-7 ending their two game win streak.
JEFFREY HEYDEN-KAYE – Ponoka News – Tuesday, June 13, 2017
The Central Alberta Buccaneers hosted the Calgary Gators on June 10 in a game that many said would decide the No. 2 spot in the Alberta Football League (AFL).
The Bucs came off a 2-0 win streak while the Gators were reeling off a loss at the hands of the power-house Fort McMurray Monarchs; both teams were looking to find victory in week three.
For much of the first half, both teams traded defensive blows; while both teams’ offenses made yardage, possession was inevitably punted away. It wasn’t until early in the second quarter that the Gators took advantage of a Buccaneers coverage-misstep and made a deep pass into the pirate endzone.
After a couple injuries and some opportunistic Gator play, the Buccaneers found themselves looking up 28-0 going into the second half.
Throughout halftime, the Bucs were able to rally and get patched up thanks to team athletic trainers. As a result, the pirate defense was as stingy as they were in the first quarter – the Gators wouldn’t score for the rest of the game.
Unfortunately, neither did the Buccaneer offense.
“We need to improve on our execution,” said slotback Corbin Knip. “We need to take care of the ball and we need to make catches.”
Despite the team’s offensive struggles, defensive safety Mark Fay was able to scoop up a Gator fumble and sneak into the endzone for the Bucs sole touchdown of the night.
“The entire defense was a huge strength for us. For how much they were on the field, they played lights out,” praised Knip. The final score was 28-7, Gators.
“They tried to trash talk and get under our skin, but I feel we kept our composure,” said Knip. “If we fix our mental errors, we can absolutely beat them. Without a doubt.”
The Bucs have a bye for week number four. The week off will give the team a chance to heal up and prepare for their biggest game of the regular season.
On June 24, the Fort McMurray Monarchs travel to kickoff against the Bucs. It’s their first matchup since the Monarchs knocked the Bucs out of the championships back in 2016.
For more details on the Central Alberta Buccaneers, check out the team’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts.
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Thomas Cassidy of the Central Alberta Buccaneers leaps over an attempted tackle by Riley Gilroyed of the Lloydminster Vandals during the Bucs’ home opener at MEGlobal Athletic Park on Saturday. The Bucs defeated the Vandals 58-14. (Ashli Barrett/Lacombe Globe)
Ashli Barrett – Lacombe Globe – Thursday, June 8, 2017
If the Lloydminster Vandals thought they could steal a win from the Central Alberta Buccaneers, they thought wrong.
The local pirate crew might consider themselves to be in a rebuilding year, but that didn’t stop them from taking a 58-14 victory in their home opener Saturday at MEGlobal Athletic Park.
In fact, it was the Bucs doing all the pillaging and plundering right from the opening kickoff.
“We thought we’d catch (the Vandals) by surprise and see what we have. We had confidence in what we could do,” said Bucs Head Coach Fred Knip.
“We watched the game film and they put up 66 points against the Parkland Predators. I think they came into this house confident they were going to be able to do something to us. If we take the edge off of that…do some hurry up offence we could catch them off guard.”
Just 1:29 into the first quarter, quarterback and Lacombe native Judah Knipp found Axsivier Lawrence for the Bucs’ opening touchdown.
Shortly after, Jesse McPhail put the team further ahead, followed by a second touchdown by Lawrence to end the first quarter 22-0.
At halftime, the score was 34-0, and it wasn’t until the latter part of the third quarter that the Vandals managed to put points on the board.
Still, the offence was dominated by the Bucs.
For Lawrence, the key to their success was simple.
“Just good play calling,” he said. “Good play calling and Judah’s confidence, honestly. He was out there making some really good throws in tight windows for Jesse and myself.”
Knip agreed.
“Judah’s a great player out there. I like the way he works out there. He’s systematic,” Knip said. “He looks. He’s got some excellent receivers and slotbacks working for him…They get open and he sees it.”
Knipp, himself, however, just credited a good week of practice, and their execution.
“For the second week of the season, we’re doing well,” he said. “It’s only going to get better and I’m excited.”
Now 2-0 on the season, the Bucs currently sit in second place in the AFL behind the Fort McMurray Monarch team that bested them in last year’s final.
The Bucs next game will once again be at home at MEGlobal Athletic Park where they will take on the Calgary Gators. Kickoff is at 6 p.m.
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The Central Alberta Buccaneers sailed past the Lloydminster Vandals in their 2017 Alberta Football League season home opener this on Saturday, June 3.
Todd Lewis – Central Alberta Buccaneers Community Representative – Monday, June 5, 2017
The Central Alberta Buccaneers hosted the Lloydminster Vandals on Saturday, kicking off their first home game of the 2017 Alberta Football League season.
The Vandals were riding high after a convincing 66-0 blowout against the 2017 expansion team, the Parkland Predators, who travelled with 13 players. The Bucs, coming off a big win as well, having opened the season on the road with a 44-14 win over the Grande Prairie Drillers.
After recovering the opening kick, the Bucs marched down the field and scored in one minute and thirty-one seconds. Buccaneer QB Judah Knip was surgical with his passing, finding four different receivers en route to the Vandals endzone. After that initial drive, the Bucs held the momentum for the rest of the game, moving the ball offensively and shutting down the Vandals defensively. It wasn’t until the fourth quarter that the Vandals found the Buc endzone – they managed to complete a series of deep passes, earning them a couple of late-game scores.
“The Vandals were sportsman – there was no quit in them, even when the score got ugly,” said Riley St. Denis, lineman. Despite last ditch Vandal efforts, the Bucs finished the game with a 58-14 victory.
Receivers Jesse McPhail and Axsivier Lawrence each scored three receiving touchdowns with 207 and 139 yards respectively. Head coach Fred Knip praised both receivers’ performance, saying, “Jesse had sticky fingers all game and caught everything thrown to him. Axsivier was a bull and always got extra yards when he shouldn’t have been able to.”
Corbin Knip, slotback, said of his QB brother Judah “anytime a quarterback throws for seven touchdowns in a game (for 353 yards), he’s going to be a standout player. And I’m not just saying that because he’s my brother.”
The entire pirate offence combined for a total of 581 yards, not too shabby for Week 2.
Looking forward to Week 3, the Bucs host the talented Calgary Gators. While the Gators finished third in 2016, they are poised to finish in the top two in 2017; their primary barrier to that goal is the Bucs. This weekend will be the biggest test the Bucs have faced so far in 2017.
“It’s going to be the hardest hitting game yet,” said Buccaneer DB Tyson Dichrow. “They have a large pool in which to draw talent. We will need to play to every whistle, play from kickoff to finish, and protect our quarterback,” said offensive lineman Dave Young.
MEGlobal Athletic Park had over 300 spectators in the stands for the Vandals game, and the Bucs are hoping to see even more on June 10. Gate open at 6 pm, kids get in free.
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Fort McMurray Monarchs quarterback Deric Davis stiffarms a defender from the Calgary Gators Saturday at Shell Place. The Monarchs conceded points for the first time this season, but still came out on top, winning 43-17. Robert Murray/Fort McMurray Today/Postmedia Network
Robert Murray – Fort McMurray Today – Monday, June 5, 2017
There was likely a time in Alberta Football League history when the Calgary Gators starting the season 0-1 would be a surprise.
After how the Fort McMurray Monarchs clashed with their longtime rivals Saturday at Shell Place, it’s not much of a surprise any longer.
The now 2-0 Monarchs refused to budge from their goal of staying perfect in league play, defeating the Gators 43-17 at Shell Place Saturday.
With a tight first half living up to that bill, the Monarchs found a way to find their extra element in the second half.
“It’s a different squad, but they’re still a very good team that are well-prepared and they did a good job today,” said Monarchs head coach Dave Spence of Saturday’s battle.
Leading by a 12-10 score at the half, the Monarchs offence found their legs in the second half while the defence continued to stifle any competition stacked up against them.
“I feel like I came out a lot more poised than I was the first game,” said quarterback Deric Davis. “I feel like us, as a team, we got better today.
“We’re still new with each other, so I feel like the chemistry is starting to build now.”
It’s clear through just two games though that Davis can excel in this league and will face further tests in the coming weeks as teams move to figure out his game. Until then, he’s earning the praise of his head coach.
“He’s really getting an understanding of what we do and how we do it,” added Spence. “He made some plays on his feet and made some good throws.”
At 2-0 the Monarchs are right where they want and expect to be. They’re tied with the Central Alberta Buccaneers for first place. The lone meeting of the season on June 24 is also quickly approaching. Spence has no intentions of slowing down.
“We’re the champions and we intend to stay champions until we get knocked off,” continued Spence. “Our goal is remain number one.”
A first this season, the Monarchs are on the road this coming weekend when they travel to face the Calgary Wolfpack. That game will be followed by their third home game of the season June 17 against the expansion Parkland Predators.
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Central Alberta Buccaneer Jamal Henry leaps over a sprawling Preston Ostrom of the Grande Prairie Drillers during last year’s season opener. The Bucs defeated the Drillers 44-14 on Saturday at Legion Field in Grande Prairie. (Ashli Barrett/Lacombe Globe)
Ashli Barrett – Lacombe Globe – Friday, June 2, 2017
It took the Central Alberta Buccaneers a quarter to get the rust out of their sails, but the pirate crew bested their rivals from Grande Prairie once more.
In what was almost a repeat of the last two seasons, the Bucs plundered a 44-14 win from the Drillers to open the 2017 Alberta Football League season.
The game was the first for new Buccaneers Head Coach Fred Knip, who said he was pleased overall with the game and the way the team played.
“It was awesome. The boys played marvelous. It was really nice to see the unity and cohesiveness on the team,” he said.
“We were all on one boat, rowing in the same direction towards one goal.”
That goal, of course, was to put a mark in the win column. While they achieved it, it wasn’t without some adversity.
After a 90-minute marathon of a first quarter, the pirate crew trailed their opponents 14-13.
“They scored twice on us and both times it was the middle linebacker,” said Knip. “The play called for him to edge in towards the weak side and the outside linebacker tweaked out. There was a big hole and they took advantage of that twice. “
In the second, however, they adjusted their defence, and the team finally started to execute.
The Drillers wouldn’t score again.
“I came on late, so the offence I thought we would initiate was something we needed to install,” he said. “We missed a couple hours of practice this week in terms of putting the offence together.
“Rusty, is maybe a good word. We were just trying to work the cobwebs out of the gears and by the time the second quarter came, third quarter, the offence started going.”
At the half, the Bucs were ahead 31-14, and in the third, they started to generate more opportunities.
Tylor Johannesson accounted for a few field goals, with others, including Axsivier Lawrence, Pascal Plante and Jared Bouret stepping up.
Going forward, however, there’s plenty to work on.
“Our defence is very stable. We might have to tweak it a bit, but it is excellent,” said Knip.
“Offence, we need to work on reading the cover. Are the corners high? Are the corners low?”
The Drillers, Knip said, usually played with a cover 3 and the Bucs didn’t always make it easy on themselves in terms of how they responded.
“That’s something we’re going to work on in the next couple of days – short passes and the open flats.”
The Bucs’ home opener is this Saturday at ME Global Athletic Park against the Lloydminster Vandals at 6 p.m.
Admission to the game is $5, free for kids, and there will be a bouncy castle supplied by FunHaus to mark the occasion.
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After an extensive first period with three possession changes, the Central Alberta Buccaneers came out on top of a 44-14 victory in Grande Prairie.
The Central Alberta Buccaneers had a big road trip to kick-off their 2017 season. After the long wait since 2016, the Bucs were itching to take the field in Grande Prairie against their long-time rivals, the Drillers.
The first game of the season is “always the most nerve-wracking one,” said Bucs’ slotback Jesse McPhail. “You never really know how good [the team is] or how other teams stack up until you see the results after the first week.” Regardless of either teams’ ability, the Bucs knew they were heading into a battle on Saturday. “Grande Prairie is always a hard-hitting team.”
In the very long first quarter (that lasted an hour and a half), the lead changed hands three times. After the Buc defence had made a big red-zone stop on their own 30-yard line, the pirate offence marched the ball downfield with some deft passing and running until they hit the Drillers endzone. The teams traded scores until the game sat 14-13, Drillers, at the start of the second quarter. After a timeout, the Bucs rallied, collected themselves, and began to execute; their defence shut down the Drillers for the rest of the game, and the Buccaneer offence drove possession, running all over the field and completing short, precise passes.
The Bucs travelled with a small roster, taking the field with 31 dressed players. The short-staffed Bucs excelled partly due to their small roster. “Guys stepped up. We needed everyone to ball out, and everybody did,” said team captain, Mark Fay. “Absolutely everyone on our roster left it all on the field. Every Buc played his heart out, and it showed on the field and the scoreboard.”
The Bucs hope to continue their success via committee into Week 2 on Saturday, June 3, when they host the Lloydminster Vandals (1-0). Kickoff is at 6 p.m. at Lacombe MEGlobal Athletic Park. Concession will be open and FunHaus will be on the field on gameday with a bouncy castle for the children (free admittance).
James Kostuk, left, the founder of the Grande Prairie Drillers men’s football team, and his wife Heather, who made the suggestion to start the team, James, who played for the team from 2004-2015 will have his #23 jersey retired by the team Saturday before their opening game at Legion Field at 6:30 p.m. (Daily Herald Tribune FILE PHOTO)
Logan Clow – Daily Herald-Tribune – Thursday, May 25, 2017
Bigger, stronger and better.
That’s how Jordon Fersch, president, player and head coach, describes this year’s Grande Prairie Drillers team.
The Drillers open their Alberta Football League season Saturday against the Central Alberta Buccaneers at Legion Field at 7 p.m.
“Our defensive line is really strong again this year and our defensive backs are actually pretty strong too. I’d say defence is definitely one of our strengths again,” said Fersch.
“I believe we’re stronger than we were last year. We’re stronger on defence and our offence, we have a bit of a new offence running this year, so I think that’s going to be huge. Our offensive line is way bigger… one of the bigger offensive lines we’ve had in years. That’s another strength for us.”
Fersch said having more size and strength on offence allows more time for their starting QB Trace Griko to make a play.
“I have a feeling we’re going to be a run-heavy team,” noted Fersch, noting they’re going to play “old-style football”.
The Drillers are expected to dress 25+ players for the game.
The Buccaneers are starting the AFL season as a probationary franchise in the AFL after allegedly violating league rules last year for “compensating a player”.
“I’m expecting a very strong team. They’re not going to be as strong as they were last year just because of the penalties that they got laid down, so they’re not going to have that high-end talent from overseas or other provinces. I’m expecting them to be a pretty even match with us. I think it’s going to be a really good game,” noted Fersch.
Kostuk being recognized
Drillers founder James Kostuk will be having his #23 retired in a pre-game ceremony Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
He was the founder and president of the Drillers. Their inaugural season was in 2004.
Kostuk played for the Drillers from 2004-2015 and was the team’s defensive coach last season.
He ranks No. 1 all-time with the Drillers in knockdowns and blocked kicks. He’s also ranked No. 2 all-time in interceptions and kick returns, and No. 3 in all purpose yards, tackles and fumble recoveries.
“Without him, we wouldn’t be here,” said Fersch.
“He was the most deserving guy to have his jersey retired first. The guy who started it all might as well be the first to have his jersey retired.”
The pre-game ceremony is expected to run until 7 p.m., followed by the game.
Twitter: @DHTLogan
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Axsivier Lawrence of the Central Alberta Buccaneers fends off Erik Kyler of the St. Albert Stars during AFL action last season. Lawrence is among the veteran players on the team stepping into leadership and coaching roles. (Ashli Barrett/Lacombe Globe)
Ashli Barrett – Lacombe Globe – Saturday, May 20, 2017