Stettler Wildcats had their first game of the season in St. Albert on Thursday, Sept. 3, against the home team St. Albert Skyhawks, losing with a score of 10-0.
“Our game on Thursday night in St. Albert went very well for us,” said Stettler Wildcats head coach Norbert Bahrally. “We did not win, but our guys played extremely well and composed for our first game of the year.”
According to Baharally, although the score reflects a 10-0 loss for the Wildcats, the match was a lot closer.
It was 0-0 with 15 seconds left in the first half when Skyhawks scored their first major score and a conversion to go up 7-0 at half time.
Then in the second half was "a defensive battle" and pretty much the same as the first half.
“We had our chances on offence to score but just could not capitalize at key moments and we had chances to make big plays but we either missed the receiver or we dropped the ball,” said Baharally.
For the Wildcats it was “a positive experience” to be able to compete with such a high-calibre provincially recognized program.
Going into the game with only 23 players dressed, Wildcats did not have a lot of depth.
Besides, there were two of the starting linemen, Chase Walton and Ty McCann and one of the starting slotbacks, Kyle Lawrence sitting out due to injuries.
Some notable first year players that played well were, Will Whiteside, Grady Thomson, Drew Cassidy, Zack Werbowesky and Kam Bainbridge.
Returning players that had a strong game included, Jordan Lane, Russell Steen, Hunter Berger, Clayton Page, Keegan St. Denis, Jeremy Kirk, Tyler Matchett and Jens Lohmann.
Wildcats will face Ponoka Broncs next in Ponoka on Thursday, Sept. 10 at 4.30 p.m.