The Estevan Lions Club U14 Oilers football team’s season came to an end Saturday afternoon in a 41-0 loss to the host Assiniboia Rockets.
Coach Paul Duncan said the defence came up with some great plays, but not enough, while the offence struggled to move the ball and the effort wasn’t what they needed in an elimination game. They were down 28-0 at half-time.
It was a disappointing way to end the season, he said, after the progress they had made during the year.
“We were starting to build a little bit more as a team, and it was nice to see that way going,” said Duncan.
The players’ effort level improved as the regular season went along. They didn’t fold under pressure like they did early in the season, and their tenacity improved.
“We did have some success as the season progressed, through the offence moving the ball through the air, which I was very proud of, and the defence was able to step up and tackle a little bit more.”
The Oilers scored three touchdowns in their final game of the regular season against Assiniboia in early October.
Thirteen of 24 players on this year’s team will graduate to the Estevan Comprehensive School next season. As for the returning players, Duncan hopes the year of bantam football will help, and with a strong contingent of players coming up from the Century 21 under-12 Chargers team, Duncan is hopeful they can have a better year in 2020.
