Under wet conditions the Bonnyville Renegades had an impressive victory over the visiting Lloydminster Steelers Sunday afternoon.
With the rain falling, the Renegades were able to score their first touchdown of the game just under three minutes in to give them an 8-0 lead. Vadin VanDenBossche would get credit for the touchdown run.
But, just like the rain, the Renegades continued to pour. Opening play of that drive the Steelers would fumble the ball, which was then recovered by Bonnyville. Two plays later the Renegades would complete the touchdown, as Duncan Critch ran the ball in. This increased the score to 16-0 in favour of the Renegades.
With 3:48 left on the clock, Critch ran the ball down field though the entire Lloydminster team for a 38-yard gain. Just a few minutes later he was able to complete the drive with another touchdown run. The first quarter would end 24-0 for Bonnyville.
As the end of the second quarter began to close in the Renegades found themselves falling into some penalty trouble. These fouls would end up allowing the Steelers to move down the field without having to complete plays.
The Renegades were able to get it together and shut down the Steelers offence.
Another impressive play came by way of VanDenBossche, who ran the ball down the field for a 30-plus yard gain to end the half. The score at half would be 24-0 for Bonnyville.
The second half began the same way as the first did for the Renegades. An early touchdown would increase the lead. The wet ball was dropped on the extra point kick so the lead would increase to 30-0.
After another shutdown from the defence, the Renegades moved back down field. Critch ran the ball in for the score, but with the field goal kick blocked, the score would sit at 36-0.
To close out the quarter the Renegades would kick the ball down field. A crazy bounce landed the ball back in Bonnyville's possession to end the third quarter.
The final quarter began with another run from Critch. He would score this touch down just under one minute into the fourth.
The Bonnyville defence came up strong. Just over one minute after that touchdown Donovan Morgan intercepted the Steelers pass to give the Renegades possession of the football once again.
The Renegades were unable to convert on that opportunity but once again later in the quarter another turnover would prove costly for the Steelers.
With 20 seconds remaining in the game, the Steelers were able to get on the board. A nice touchdown run from Xander Pierce, who was a player who had given the Renegades a tough time all game ran the ball the length of the field for the score.
The Renegades would end up winning by a final score of 43-7.
Coach Kevin Sartain was happy with the way the team played during the game, but sees room for improvement.
“We were a little bit sloppy, our execution was not where I had hoped it would be but that's fine. It's only nine practices and this was our first game. We're going to work on our execution.”
Sartain also touched on the talent he has on this team.
“Ducan (Critch) has been with us, this is his third year. He's the leader, he's our quarterback, he's our running back, he's our defensive end, he does it all. He is definitely a dominate player,” said Sartain. “He also has Vaden VanDenBossche and Titus Fagnan in our back field too. No. 22 and No. 32, who can really run and big No. 7 is our tight end with that pass he caught in the end zone that's Darian Keewatin. So I have a lot of talent.”
Although the score was a bit lopsided, he commended the Steelers for the game they played in these tough conditions.
“I have to give it to the Steelers, they came out in hostile territory. We are the defending provincial champions, we haven't lost in now nine games so it's not an easy thing to come into this house playing this team in this weather, it isn't easy.”
The Renegades will open up next weekend's Scott MacDonald Memorial tournament at 2 p.m. Sept. 17.
