The Bert Church Chargers started its season off right, dismantling the George McDougall Mustangs 22-1 at Genesis Place, Sept 3.
The league opening game was originally scheduled to be an exhibition, played without kickoffs or extra point converts, but both teams showed up ready to play a full game of football.
“It took a little while to get the offence going,” said Charger’s head coach Andy Kirk. “Our defence was pretty solid throughout the whole game. There were a couple great looking tackles, and some good pursuit of the ball, which is great to see this early in the year.”
Kirk says that with it being the first matchup of the year, he expects to face a tougher George McDougall squad in the Airdrie-Bowl, slated for Oct. 15.
“They are big. (George McDougall) coach Legault was talking about how many of his skill guys are new, so you are going to see them improve through the year, but we expect that from our guys too,” said Kirk.
Legault says that his young team might have had some problems dealing with the pressure of the game.
“We have a lot of growing to do,” said Legault. “We have a lot of great guys on this team that want to play hard and then when things start to scramble they are getting a little worried and a little scared. We have a great coaching staff that needs to get them refocused and reset so we can make it happen.”
The first half saw very little in the way of scoring.
Bert Church’s Jordan Brown caught a short toss and ran the ball to the house for the only touchdown of the first half, while George Mac kicker Matt Mancini scored the only point for the team with a huge punt through the end zone.
Both the Chargers and the Mustangs showed that plays on the ground and in the air were working, but the George Mac defence was worn down come the fourth quarter.
Two touchdowns by Charger Brandon Fuchs in the span of two minutes in the fourth quarter solidified the win.
While the team struggled to get points on the board, the Mustangs will be taking a lot from the matchup.
“The bottom line is that it is a great learning experience, you always learn more from a loss than a win,” said Legault. “There is not a single player or coach on this field that didn’t learn something today.”
The Chargers next matchup will take place against Cochrane High School in Cochrane, Sept 18. The Mustangs will play the Phoenix in Springbank on Sept 17.
