The sixth annual Scott MacDonald Memorial Day raised $12,000.
It was a successful day both on and off the field for the Bonnyville Amateur Football Association; the three local teams picked up wins and raised over $12,000 for the local cancer ward, as well as post secondary scholarships.
For the first time in the event's six year history all three local football teams - the Renegades peewee team, Bandits bantam team and Voyageurs high school team - won their games on Scott MacDonald Memorial Day.
"It was awesome. All three teams buy into it and they look forward to it," said Voyageurs head coach Larry Godziuk. "They get to showcase themselves and our program."
Showcasing the speed, skill and toughness is exactly what the Renegades and Bandits did on Saturday evening with both squads pummeling their opponent.
The Renegades kicked the day off with a 46-6 victory over the visiting Wainwright Guard Dogs to avenge a last-minute loss at last year's event.
The Bandits put aspirations of a championship in the heads of local supporters when they throttled the rival Cold Lake Royals 73-0.
Talent, toughness and resiliency was also on display in the night cap when the Voyageurs battled their way back from 7-0 down by rattling off 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter for a victory.
While the games were being played on the field, thousands of dollars was being raised off the field.
Players on all three teams collected donations and all took turns having their heads shaved at half time over the course of the three games.
Dylan Middagh, who plays for the Voyageurs, wanted to participate in the shaving part of the event but was hesitant on getting his head shaved. Instead he gave everyone a laugh and got his left leg shaved up to the knee.
"I really wanted to support it because it is the Scott MacDonald. It is my favourite time of year for football. It is the best. Everyone is so happy," said Middagh, who went on to say that upcoming graduation photos stopped him from shaving his head.
After shaving his leg he went on two score the Voyageurs only two touchdowns against Westlock and help lift his team to victory.
"I feel like the shaved legs gave me a bit of a boost; made me a little faster," said Middagh post-game.
Along with head shaving, their was also a large silent auction full of items donated from people throughout the community, and a large 50/50.
This was the sixth year for the annual event, held in honour of Scott MacDonald, a former player on the Bonnyville Voyageurs team who died from cancer on July 11, 2010, at the young age of 19.
The funds raised from the day will be split with 80 per cent going to the Bonnyville Hospital Foundation and 20 per cent going to the Scott MacDonald scholarship fund, which provides for football players moving to post-secondary education.
"The parents put in an awful lot of work to make this event happen," said Godziuk. "To have it all wrap up and have some success on the field and raise some money in memory of Scott that we can donate back into the community; it is a real bonus."
For full Renegades, Bandits and Voyageurs game stories see page 17.
