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Bandits take second in the north

The Bonnyville Bandits took second in the North Division this past weekend. After going undefeated their entire season, the Bandits met their match on a snow covered field Nov. 9, as they faced off against the Grande Prairie Broncos.
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Titus Fagnan dodges a tackle from the Grande Prairie Broncos.

The Bonnyville Bandits took second in the North Division this past weekend.


After going undefeated their entire season, the Bandits met their match on a snow covered field Nov. 9, as they faced off against the Grande Prairie Broncos. Regardless of their home field advantage, the local team fell 25-21 in the league final.


“It’s déjà vu at this point. It doesn’t mean a whole lot,” expressed head coach Mickey Fagnan, referencing the team’s loss to the St. Paul Bengals last year.


“A loss is a loss, how we react to it will determine what kind of people we are.”


Player Duncan Critch described the team’s emotions as positive throughout the game, which shows their passion for the sport.


“We were good, we were getting there and fighting. What happens, happens,” he said. 


 Duncan Critch has his eyes focused on the end zone.Duncan Critch has his eyes focused on the end zone.


Both teams were relentless throughout the game, holding the score within a few points of one another.


“It was a great team that we played. They’ve had no competition all year, neither have we, and we battled right down to the last second. It was going to be a hard game fought, and it was true to form. Somebody had to win, somebody had to lose, and we got the short end of the stick,” Fagnan exclaimed.


It was in the last few minutes of the game that won it for the Broncos. They caught up to the Bandits’ 21-18 lead with a ‘hail mary’ touchdown.


“Up until the last minute and a half, we were right there. It’s easy how quickly things unravel on the football field,” Fagnan noted.


The local team’s dedication shined through during the match-up, resulting in the players taking the loss hard.


Fagnan believes they “put their hearts and soul” into the game, and it was a life lesson about how things can go sometimes.


“It was a hell of a game from start to finish,” detailed player Colby Ives. “We had one heck of a season, and we’ve got to keep our heads held high. We all played great, we just can’t win them all.”


While the team hoped to go all the way to provincials, coming in second in the North Division was still a tremendous accomplishment.


“Words don’t mean a whole lot at this point in time, the kids are hurting, all of them. That’s what happens when you have passionate players, they bring everything (they have)... Life moves on, and that’s the game of football,” explained Fagnan.


To his teammates, Critch said, “Keep your heads high, because I know there’s a few of us moving onto high school next year, we’re going to see what we do there, see how we can help that team. But, for the ones staying, keep working, keep going, get better, and continue the legacy for the Bonnyville Bandits.”

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