If there’s a will, there’s a way, and the Westlock Thunderbirds Football Club proved that Friday night with a come-from behind victory over the Cold Lake Royals.
With the 37-24 road win the T-Birds improve to 2-1 in the Wheatland Football League and improved their chances of a post-season berth.
Coach Jon Kramer said although they fell behind early his team was determined. Westlock took a 14-0 lead, but gave it up and fell behind 24-21 before making a fourth quarter push.
“It was an exciting night … it was a good game,” Kramer said. “It was really a character-building game to get up, be down and not just roll over because you think they’re better than us.
“Just to work hand and get the win was pretty neat for the guys to do.”
Giving kudos to his offensive line Kramer said they were an integral part in opening up space for their running game to put up all 37 points.
“Our offensive line is a really young group. We have a couple rookies and a Grade 10 on there, but they push really hard.”
After losing their opening game of the season the T-Birds have now posted two-straight wins, which puts them in second place in their division. Kramer said the team’s recent roll has helped inject some extra confidence.
“After this next week, we play another really experienced team in our pool in Bonnyville, and after that game we’ll have a really good idea where are in the standings,” Kramer said. “We sit at second now and from there the sky is the limit. However hard the guys want to work we could be gunning for the league championship or the consolation championship.”
The Bonnyville Voyagers, who they face on the road Sept. 26, have a 1-2 record and Kramer is expecting a tough battle.
“We really have to finish in the Top 3 to play in the ‘A’ side of the playoffs, but every week the players go into it wanting to win — the coaches to too,” he said. “We always tell the players don’t worry about the scoreboard, worry about our effort, our execution, our attitude, and if you take care of that stuff the season will unfold in front of you.”
