The Bonnyville Bandits kicked-off their cleats as they celebrated another successful season during their annual awards banquet Dec. 3.
The team will be remembered for their hard work, clean games, and tireless efforts.
This year the Bandits finished the season 3-2, and lost the semi-final playoff by a mere two points.
“The results of those games were extraordinary, because we never came up short in our effort,” said head coach Mickey Fagnan, adding the team always gave 100 per cent.
Brodie Gamble, wide receiver, was the recipient of two awards, the fan favourite and the Bandits MVP of the year.
“It felt special,” said Gamble, adding there were a lot of players that could have won either of these awards.
“It could have gone to a lot of us, because everyone had their moment and we all stood out.”
Fagnan said Gamble was a well-rounded player both on and off the field, which is one of the reasons he was selected as the team's MVP.
“It's a combination of a lot of factors, and character traits,” explained Fagnan, adding honesty with himself and his fellow players and coaches, and the fact he was teachable player were all contributing factors.
Gamble was never afraid to speak up during a game, giving his coach another option when it came to plays.
“That was very important to me,” Fagnan noted. “I have one set of eyes, but I have 40 pairs of eyes on the field.”
It was his ability to meld into any position that made him an asset to the team, with the ability to not only play receiver, but also running back, and quarterback.
In terms of plays that stood out, Fagnan said it was the 75-80 yard run in the semi-finals that was at the top of his list.
“It looked like there was no way he was going to make the corner, and we were just watching one man determined to run down the field and score a touch-down and put us into a position to win,” said Fagnan. “It came with a lot of other character trait attitudes that really made that game a top notch game.”
This was Gamble's last year with the Bandits, and moving forward he will take with him a number of lessons he learned throughout his time with the team such as be a genuine person when playing on the field and in everyday life, let things happen, be good to others and always show respect.
Gamble said this season was something special to him, not only as a player, but also as a person, and he has his coach, Fagnan to thank for that.
“He has made me the person I am today.”
