ST. PAUL – The St. Paul Bengals faced off against the Wainwright Warhawks during the first game of the 2024 regular football season on Sept. 7. The result was not ideal for the Bengals, losing 36-12 against the visiting team.
Much of the action happened in the first half of the game, with the Warhawks ending the second quarter with a 16-point lead, 28-12.
Trying to capitalize on the momentum, the Warhawks mounted more offensive efforts but were unable to topple the Bengals’ defence with more touchdowns. But they did manage to widen the gap to 30-12.
The Bengals tried to make a comeback, but the Warhawks also proved strong, halting the Bengals’ advances.
The Warhawks slowly marched through the field, before nailing another touchdown just before the final quarter ended.
Adam Arundell, head coach of the Warhawks, expressed his joy with the win, recalling how the Bengals defeated the Wainwright team twice last year.
“We had big plays by a lot of players, so I’m really happy about it,” says Arundell, before noting his respect for the Bengals. “St. Paul has a great football program. Coach Todd [Tanasichuk] and [head coach] Derek [Zapisocki], and everybody here, I think highly of them.”
He credited the Warhawks’ game plan for their success. The Warhawks also have many returning players, “So they were ready for it,” says Arundell.
Zapisocki, head coach for the Bengals, says while the result was not ideal, the Bengals did their best. “They came out and they played hard right off the game, and [the Warhawks] came to punch us in the mouth - and we weren’t ready for it.”
Asked if there are areas of improvement the Bengals will work on, Zapisocki said the team will work to improve on turnovers. “We had what, eight or nine turnovers and gave them short fields. It’s hard to win games when you do stuff like that,” he says.
He also complimented the Warhawks for the show. “They were fired up right from the first whistle. They came out and played hard. I mean, they were the better team today.”
Zapisocki says despite the setback, “We still got a good team.”
“What defines champions is how they respond to stuff like this,” adds the coach.
The Bengals will play at home against Cold Lake on Sept. 14 at 1 p.m.
Lions
The St. Paul Lions high school football team is also preparing to host the Cold Lake Royals at home on Friday at 7 p.m.
On Sept. 7, the Lions won an exhibition game 49-3 against the St. Mary Marauders from Prince Albert, Sask.
John Lumby, defensive coordinator with the Lions, says the team is building positive momentum leading up to the beginning of the regular season. “Cold Lake is always tough... we always take them seriously.”
“They’re a well-coached, disciplined team, and we know they’ve got a lot of players, and some talented ones,” says Lumby. “We’re expecting a war... like we often have against them.”
Lumby says the Lions will work to improve their defence. “There were times when we gave up first downs... ideally, you don’t want to do that, but we did well today.”
The Lions may have bent, but they did not break.
“I’m happy with the efforts of the defence today.”
Asked if being the defending league and provincial champion puts some pressure on the team, Lumby admits it does. As provincial champions, “That sets a new standard for us,” he says. But the goal does not change.
The aim is always to win a provincial title.
“That’s no easy task, but we’re absolutely up for the challenge, and I guess, if [being champions] puts on a little pressure, that’s a positive thing. Because we want to try to maintain that high standard.”
Curtis Hundeby, head coach of the Marauders, says the match against the Lions was a great learning opportunity. “They’re a polished team and we wanted to get better.”
Hundeby says the Marauders are a young team, with only a few veteran players. For most of them, “this is their very first senior football game.”
“We’ve got to grow, and this was a good opportunity for us to learn,” he says, before giving kudos to the St. Paul football program, particularly the way the Bengals bantam team feeds players to the Lions.
“The program they’ve set up here... is something that is really effective.”
Hundeby wished the Lions the best for the season. “I know there’s some tough teams in their league. Holy Rosary in particular is a pretty strong team.”
Holy Rosary is currently ranked first in the 3A category, while the Lions are seeded seventh.