Two Edwin Parr Composite School Pacers had the opportunity to showcase their football talents in inter-provincial games earlier this month.
Cornerback Cole Ghostkeeper, a Grade 11 student, played in the Rising Stars game at the All Canada Gridiron ABC (Alberta, B.C.) Border Bowls in Kamloops, B.C. on May 23.
Teammate Nathaniel Borys, Grade 9, played in the Future Stars game at the same event.
The Border Bowls pit teams representing each province against each other in a showcase game for fans, scouts and recruiters watching live and online.
Both Ghostkeeper and Borys practiced only once with their Team Alberta squads at the beginning of May, then they had to learn their playbooks and be ready to go for the game in Kamloops.
“It was pretty fun, but high intensity,” Ghostkeeper said. “Biggest game I ever played.
“There’s lots of scouts watching so you have to play your best.”
In the Rising Stars game, Ghostkeeper said Team Alberta got off to a slow start, but rebounded to take home a 29-22 victory. He was especially happy to be part of a defense that didn’t allow a point in the second half.
“I’m pretty pleased,” he said. “I helped stop one deep pass, but almost got beat. I was scared.”
He added that all of Team Alberta got along well, and his skills matched well with those of his teammates.
“All the guys were cool,” Ghostkeeper said. “I fit good with those guys.”
As for Borys, the Team Alberta Future Stars didn’t fare as well, dropping a 61-33 decision to their B.C. counterparts.
“We started out off slow,” he explained. “Their quarterback was phenomenal. He was a great athlete. We just didn’t have the bodies to stop him.”
Nevertheless, Borys said he was pleased with his personal performance.
“I did really good, I think. I believe I was one of the stronger linebackers.
“The experience was really good,” he added. “Probably once in a lifetime.”
Both Ghostkeeper and Borys said the Border Bowl experience has them thinking about football beyond high school. Ghostkeeper said he’d like to catch on with one of Edmonton’s junior football teams, while Borys has his eye on collegiate football.
“Hopefully I get noticed by colleges and scouts,” Borys said. “It doesn’t matter who I know, it matters who knows me.”
The Pacers continued their spring camp last week. As a veteran going into next season, Ghostkeeper said the team is rebuilding, but shows promise.
“We’re starting to get a little bit better, but it takes a little bit of time,” he said.
“Once you gel together as a team, anything can happen.”
