ST. PAUL – It was a winning weekend for St. Paul football teams, as the Bengals bantam team won the Tier I provincial final against the Edmonton Chargers on Nov. 19 and the Lions high school level team won the North Championship against the Ardrossan Bisons earlier that same day.
After the exhibition match with the Drumheller Titans on Sept. 3, and before the 2022 Wheatland Football League season officially started, head coach Mark Tichkowsky said he hoped St. Paul and Drumheller would meet up at the Tier IV provincials – and he will get his wish.
While the Lions defeated the Ardrossan Bisons 30-9 to claim the North Championship, the Titans also won against W.R. Myers Rebels 26-7 and won the South Championship.
The Lions and the Titans will face off once more, but this time the Lions will head south to compete in the Alberta Bowl on Nov. 25 in Calgary.
“We have some work to do,” said Tichkowsky, recalling the exhibition match against the Titans, where the Titans won 24-13. “We need to have a game plan and strategize... then hopefully things will go better for us on Friday.”
It has been two seasons since the Lions played at the Alberta Bowl back in 2019. And Tichkowsky said, “it feels pretty good” to be back.
This is the Lions third chance at the Alberta Bowl, “So, we’re hoping the third time’s the charm.”
Tichkowsky thanked everyone who came out to support the team throughout the season, which helped “really motivate” the Lions.
Bengals win championship
Meanwhile, the Bengals won their second provincial championship after winning their last back in 2017. Head coach Todd Tanasichuk said he feels “elated” about “everything, and our kids were spectacular.”
“We had some pretty big plays,” said Tanasichuk, recalling how in the first half when the Chargers managed to reach the Bengals’ three-yard line, the Bengals’ defence stayed strong.
On the next play, Aaron Sachko (#8) rushed a 106-yard touchdown, boosting the Bengals’ confidence and “deflating [the Chargers] quite a bit because they were so close to scoring right off the bat.”
He said more plays were executed well, including a defensive touchdown, and with the momentum on the Bengals’ side, the team dominated the remaining quarters – ultimately winning the Tier I bantam provincial final 58-13.
Tanasichuk thanked all the supporters who made the trip to Edmonton to support the team.
“We had a really loud group of fans who came out to the game,” he said. “It was awesome to see, and there’s just so much joy at the end of the game.”
He also thanked the assistant coaches who “worked so hard” in the last few weeks, “especially against some really tough opponents.” He said the assistant coaches made “great game plans,” and the Bengals responded.
“The kids really brought their game to another level here in the last three weeks, and it was just incredible to see,” said Tanasichuk.
For the Bengals’ head coach, he aims to “relax” a bit before starting to prepare for next season. He said 2022 was a rewarding season, and added, even “if we don’t win – it’s always rewarding.”
Tanasichuk spoke highly of the football programs in St. Paul. “I’d say our organization is definitely on the map,” as far as football in Alberta is concerned, said Tanasichuk. “I got a lot of messages... and people recognizing that at both levels, our teams are some of the best in the province.”
“So, overall, I think we were doing a great job,” he said, which takes “a lot of work” from parents and coaches, and of course the players from both the Lions and Bengals.
“It’s not easy to play at this level,” he said, especially for a small town like St. Paul. “So, hats off to everybody.”
Tanasichuk wishes the Lions the best for the upcoming match against the Drumheller Titans and hopes the team can bring the championship home.
The Lions will play the Titans in Hellard Field at Shouldice Park in Calgary at 4 p.m. on Nov. 25.
