The Fort McMurray Monarchs were victorious in keeping their second spot after defeating the Central Alberta Buccaneers 33-9 during men’s Alberta Football League action at MEGlobal Athletic Park in Lacombe on Saturday.
With the Buccaneers not playing their best, the game simply did not go as planned, said team chairman and linebacker Todd Lewis.
“We came into the game wanting to win, but we didn’t play to our potential,” he said. “We took a lot of mental errors and penalties, and we just weren’t firing; we weren’t executing the way we should have.”
The team took several penalties during the game and the Monarchs took advantage.
Nonetheless, Lewis feels the Buccaneers undoubtedly have what it takes to beat quality opposition, and have proven their ability to do so throughout the season.
“Once we start practicing and learning the systems and have team chemistry, then we will be able to use the talent we have and be able to pull quality wins,” he said.
Being in third, where the Buccaneers currently sit, isn’t a disappointment by any means, he added, but he knows the team can play better than what the records indicate.
Going forward, he hopes the team can find solutions to fix their problems, which he knows will help them return to their winning ways when they face the Monarchs again later this season.
“I believe if we fix those problems, we will beat Fort McMurray,” he said.
The team’s next scheduled game is against the fourth-placed St. Albert Stars on Aug. 8 in Lacombe, where the Buccaneers will aim to defend their third spot.
“It’s going to be a great game,” Lewis said. “They are a good team and they have a really solid defence and a very solid running game.”
Sylvan Lake’s Alex Ledwos, who plays as an offensive lineman for the Buccaneers, said he’s optimistic about the team’s chances of success against the Stars, and assured they’d be heading into the game fully prepared.
“We have to come to practice, be prepared and get into the game,” he said. “If we can eliminate some of those mistakes, we are a contender for the league championship this year.”