Every week brings new challenges for the Cochrane Bantam Lions.
This past week was a doozy, as frosty weather and a laundry list of injured and unavailable players conspired against the 13-14 year olds wearing the royal red of Cochrane Minor Football.
“After a while, the weather got to you,” said Bantam Lions starting quarterback Xavier Vaillancourt, who had a tough day trying to throw the ball in a northern gale laced with sleet at Calgary’s Shouldice Park, Hellard Field. “My hands just froze. I couldn’t even throw the ball or grip it with one hand.”
With their passing attack basically grounded, Lions were forced to commit to the run. Calgary Bulldogs defence schemed perfectly for the day, shutting Lions down in a 32-9 Calgary Bantam Football Association decision Oct. 3.
“We had to try to switch it up and go for the outside run and try to mix it up sometimes inside as well,” the quarterback said.
“Injury bug hits Lions,” said Lions head coach Paul Vaillancourt. “Key starters out. Kyle Martin, Dylan Neis, Matthias Mailer. You lose them in the first half, and then you start to re-jig.
“We have two games left. We’re going to have to man up and finish up .500.”
Bantam Lions (2-4) face Calgary Mavericks (4-2) Oct. 10 at Shouldice Park, Encana Field, 3 p.m. kickoff.
