One has to commend the Athabasca Pacers football team for fighting through the trials and pains of practically rebuilding an entire program this season and coming so close to reaching the second round of the playoffs.
The Pacers saw 17 players graduate following the 2013 football campaign, meaning they needed to find a huge crop of new players to fill those gaps. It almost didn’t happen, as the club was one day away from folding this year.
Yet, with albeit a smaller roster than last season, the Pacers found a few guys that liked the sport and decided to play, along with a number of students that didn’t have much of a clue as to what football was.
And even without the services of head coach Pete Burden for part of the year after getting a knee replaced, the team continued to grow and learn and struggle.
Still, the players came together as the season wore on and very slowly gained the experience they needed to win its first game. That gave them confidence heading into their playoff contest. Unfortunately, a bit more talent and skill won the day.
However, they gave it there all and isn’t that all you can ask for? Yes.
