With the Bow Valley Grizzlies season coming to an end, they extended their season streak to nine wins and no losses, downing the Calgary Saracens 53-17 last Saturday.
Riding high this season, the Grizzlies have put up some impressive numbers scoring 506 points so far this year gaining them the momentum they hope will carry them to redemption in the provincials this year.
The southern Alberta division 2 city champions lost a 29-19 heartbreaker to the Edmonton Leprechaun Tigers in the provincial finals last October ending a storybook season. This season, the Grizzlies are hoping the formula for a provincial win will be training hard.
To reflect that, the Grizz started training early this year taking practices at St. Timothy gym and then Vinden Farms’ horse-riding ring.
Grizzlies loosehead prop Brandon Mangold said the secret to the team’s success has been all tough play.
“The boys have been working hard day-in and day-out,” Mangold said.” “We give 100 per cent all the time.”
According to head coach Ty Hawes, Mangold is a bit of a terror in the pit.
“He brings in a great attitude,” Hawes said. “He’s a pleasure to coach.”
Robyn Edgar, assistant coach of the Bow Valley women’s rugby team, said Mangold’s muscle power of tackling his opponents has been an asset to the team.
“He’s a freight train of a human being running down people,” she said.
Hawes said the Grizzlies passion and commitment to one another is something he can also credit for their success.
“They are more of a family than they are a team,” Hawes said.
Hawes hopes that the team continues to give their all going into city finals, and noted it will be essential they do not take the competition to come lightly.
“I might have to deflate their heads a little,” Hawes said of the boys’ who have been dominating the league and the scoreboard.
The Grizzlies last regular season game will be at home against the Canucks at Mitford Pond on Aug. 19, which will lead them into city finals on Sept. 23. Provincials are set to begin on Sep. 30.
