Sylvan Lake Bears peewee football team is advancing to playoffs, despite a tough loss against an unbeaten Lacombe on Saturday.
The Bears fell 40-0 to Lacombe, before the game was called after the third quarter as a precaution to prevent injuries.
Head coach Garnet Rambaut said he was pleased with the way his team played in the game, and felt the score was justified, given the strength of the current Lacombe team.
“We actually played really well,” he said. “We were able to move the ball a little bit, we were just outmanned, basically, and they have some very good players.”
Lacombe won provincials last year, and its roster mainly comprises senior players. Rambaut said he knew his players would be up against a tough challenge in Lacombe, and he was pleased with the effort they put in.
They remain upbeat, and are looking to the future, he said. A playoff tie against Rocky Mountain House on Saturday is now their main focus.
Rocky Mountain House is a team the Bears know well, having scrimmaged twice against them earlier this season.
“They’ve improved since we played them, so it will be interesting to go up against them and see what’s going on,” said Rambaut. “We’re looking forward to the challenge, and hopefully we’ll be successful.”
Rambaut feels his team has also improved since its last scrimmage against Rocky Mountain House, and he hopes his players can stay healthy throughout the game.
With colder weather, and a harder ground, potential for injury increases at this stage in the season, he said.
The Bears’ game against Rocky Mountain House kicks off at 11 a.m. at H.J. Cody Field on Saturday.
Team information, including a list of previous scores, is available on Sylvan Lake Minor Football Association’s website at www.slmfa.com.