After an 0-6 Wheatland Football League season, the Westlock Thunderbirds came back from Olds Oct. 11 with their first win of the year in an exhibition game coach Jon Kramer believes set them up well for playoffs.
It was the Thunderbirds turn to head down to Olds this year, where they matched up pretty well against the also young and winless hosts, taking the game 22-14.
“For both teams, it was a competitive game and it was just a lot of fun,” said Kramer.
The game was back and forth, with the Thunderbirds scoring the first touchdown, Olds evening the score, then the Thunderbirds scoring again only to have Olds even the score once more. The decisive Westlock touchdown came just before halftime as neither team scored in the second half.
All three touchdowns for the Thunderbirds were scored by first-year Grade 10 players, which bodes well for the team as they go into the WFL playoffs next weekend, said Kramer.
“We talk a lot about the players, but we had a great game plan and execution from our offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, and executioner. This last game, the coaches were excellent. The plays they called, the way they schemed things, it gave our players a chance to really execute and win too,” added the coach.
Despite the definite confidence boost this win gave the boys, Kramer said he was also pleased with the team’s post-game conduct.
“One of the interesting things was that on the bus ride home, there was about the same amount of happiness, contentment and joy that we’ve had all year, which was encouraging for me as a coach. We just talk about taking care of each other, enjoying the experience, and working hard and competing.
“And that’s what they’ve done all their games, whether they won or lost,” said Kramer.
The Thunderbirds are on the road again Oct. 18, when they head to Wainwright for their first playoff game, and if they win, for a second game Oct. 25 against Cold Lake.
Looking back to their previous game with Wainwright, Kramer added that up until halftime, they were pretty even, so the hope is that the Thunderbirds have accumulated enough fitness and football IQ over the season to keep up this time.
