Every year local football teams hit the field with one thing in their hearts: playing in memory of Scott MacDonald.
MacDonald was a former Bonnyville Voyageur who lost his battle to cancer in 2010.
Every year, the Bonnyville Renegades, Bandits, and Voyageurs play in his honour during the Scott MacDonald Memorial Tournament.
While some teams came out on top during this season’s tournament on Saturday, Sept. 22, others weren’t so lucky, but left Walsh Field knowing they played with their hearts and gave it all they got.
Renegades face tough opponents
The Bonnyville Renegades couldn’t catch a break, but were honoured to play regardless of their 52-0 loss against the Lloydminster Colts.
Coach Josh Jubinville said, “They never gave up, that’s for sure. The kids went out and played with all of their heart.”
According to Jubinville, the local team just couldn’t capitalize against the Colts who “are a lot older team than we are.”
“I give them full props for what they did though,” he added.
Keeping up their spirits is important during a game Jubinville described as one of the team’s most important ones of the season.
“It’s all about heart out here, especially during the Scott MacDonald Memorial... It’s always important to me that the kids show up and play with a lot of heart, and that’s what they did. I’m really proud of them.”
Bandits put it all on the line
During their match up against the Lloydminster Jr. Red Dogs, the Bonnyville Bandits held their own, with a 45-14 win.
“This is probably the toughest team we’re going to face (this season),” detailed coach Mickey Fagnan.
He added, the Red Dogs have a lot of players to pull from, but the Bandits managed to pull it all together by playing a balanced game.
“Throwing the ball is definitely a very strong side of our game. We have a very good running game, but when you get the ball in the air and cause the defence to back-up and notice that three or four of our touchdowns were scored on long throws from 30 to 40 yards or more,” Fagnan said, noting that’s “a dimension you don’t normally see in bantam.”
But, similar to the Renegades, there was more to Saturday’s game than beating their opponents.
It was about remembering why they were there in the first place.
“It ends up being about the recognition of who Scott MacDonald was. Kids who come through the system need to be taught who this young man was,” noted Fagnan.
Playing in memory of one of their own
For the Voyageurs, the Scott MacDonald Memorial tournament is about honouring the memory of one of their own, a win is just a bonus.
This year, the local team defeated the Westlock Thunderbirds with a final 35-6.
Coach Larry Godziuk said, “We had a slow start, but we got rolling on the offence and defence in the second and third quarters. That was a relief.”
He added, the team feels proud winning any game, let alone the Scott MacDonald Memorial.
“We try to make it a team event as much as possible and remind them that besides the football game, the day has a purpose behind it and I was happy with how they participated and contributed.”
Godziuk continued, “Considering Scott was a player of ours, it’s important for me... Scott as a player is a little unknown to (the teams). We do have to reeducate them about what the day is for. We’re working hard on that every year. The team realizes how important the contribution is to the community.”
