The Stettler Panthers finished their season with the league final in Sylvan Lake on Saturday, Oct. 25, losing 30-0 to the Bears. Despite a strong defense that held the Bears scoreless for much of the first half, the Panthers could not find an opening and were unable to score.
The Bears earned a 6-0 lead just prior to half-time, but the Panthers came back with an impressive defense and kept them from scoring again until the end of the third quarter.
While the team was disappointed by the “collapse,” head coach Barry Shirley said he and the other coaches are proud of the kids.
The final marked the end of a successful season for the Panthers, who ended with a 5-1 record.
The season began with shutouts against Lacombe, Red Deer and Drumheller, although the team experienced a setback with a loss to Strathmore in late September — the first time a league competitor managed to score against them this season.
They followed this by shutting out the Rocky Mountain Rebels and defeating the Cochrane Rage 52-6 in mid-October.
“We have a great group,” said Shirley, noting that he had “nothing but positive things to say about them.”
Shirley also said he was looking forward to the next season with the Panthers.