The stands at Walsh Field were completely packed and then some. Talk between Cold Lake fans and Bonnyville fans started to heat up as the teams warmed up; the atmosphere was electric as it got closer to kick off between the Bonnyville Voyageurs and the Cold Lake Royals. The first annual Scott MacDonald Memorial Game took place Oct.7 in perfect conditions, under a clear, blue, sunny sky.
Unfortunately for the Voyageurs, the result was not as pleasant as the weather. The Voyageurs ended up losing to the Royals in a heartbreaker, 13-11. The game came down to the final few plays, but the Voyageurs just could not manage to pull it out.
The game started out very promising for Bonnyville. The opening kick-off was a booming kick that pinned the Royals deep in their own territory. The Voyageurs defence stepped up and forced a quick two and out.
The Voyageurs took over possession and got themselves into field goal position. They made the kick, taking a 3-0 lead. During the entire first quarter, the Voyageurs managed to keep the Royals on their side of centre.
With one minute left in the second quarter, Bonnyville attempted another field goal. This time it missed but remained in the end zone for one point, to take a 4-0 lead. On the ensuing Royals possession, Cold Lake brought it all the way down the field. And with 12 seconds left they got in the end zone, but fumbled it. The Voyageurs jumped on it for the touchback, keeping a 4-0 lead heading into halftime.
Voyageurs head coach Brian Walsh said his team gave a solid effort, especially the defence, who held the Royals pointless in the first half.
The third quarter was very hard-hitting. The Voyageurs got pressure on the Royals quarterback and more importantly, kept the Royals off the scoreboard. The game remained 4-0 heading into the fourth quarter.
After almost ten minutes of play in the fourth, the Royals finally put some plays together and made it to the end zone for a touchdown. With the extra point, the Royals now had a 7-4 lead with two and a half minutes left in the game.
Deep in their on territory, the Voyageurs were forced to pass it. They tried three straight times, and on the third pass it was picked off and run back in for a Cold Lake touchdown. The Royals now had a 13-4 lead with two minutes left.
The interception on Jeremy Fagnan's pass was his first of the year, but could not have come at a worse time.
However, the Voyageurs did not roll over and give up. On their very next possession Blake Adams broke free and ran it down to about the ten-yard line. Adams finished off the play by crashing into the end zone with one minute left on the clock, making the score 13-11.
It appeared the Voyageurs only hope would be an on-side kick. But the kick was unsuccessful and the Royals got possession.
Again the Voyageurs did not give up. They pressured and forced a two and out with only six seconds left.
On their very last chance, Fagnan stepped back and went for the Hail Mary pass, but he was hit and the pass was intercepted to officially put the game to rest.
The final score was 13-11 for the Royals, devastating the Voyageurs.
"To play that well, in that close of a game, and to come up short is a real blow," said Voyageurs full back Blake Adams, following the game. He added, "We played well, but not as good as we could."
His coach, Brian Walsh, echoed those sentiments. "We had a chance to pull it out in front of our home crowd...the boys played their hearts out...but we just needed a few plays to be different." Regardless of the result, Walsh said he was really proud of the boys' effort.
Adams is looking forward to getting back on the field with his team to work on a few things before next week's game. "We're going to practice even harder and really step it up next week."
The Voyageurs play at Walsh Field, Friday at 4:30 p.m. against a south division opponent yet to be named.
Following the game the Voyageurs and most of the fans stuck around Walsh Field for a great cause. The players, with some help, organized the first Scott MacDonald Memorial Fundraiser. They decided to shave their heads to raise money for the cause. So thanks to the hard work of Tyler Jahn and his teammates, they organized a head-shaving event following their game against Cold Lake. To their surprise several more volunteers were willing to shave their heads as well.
The first annual fundraiser raised an amazing $6,500. There were 21 Voyageurs, including their coach, 25 Bandits and four other volunteers that got their heads' shaved. Pro Flow Services and United Woodmasters each made donations of $1000 towards the cause.
The fundraiser was in memory of one of the Voyageurs fallen teammates. Scott MacDonald had cancer and was forced to spend long days in the hospital. He was given a video game system, which he enjoyed, to help pass the time before he unfortunately passed away. So, the Voyageurs decided to help raise money to purchase a video game system for kids currently fighting cancer.
People crowded around and flashbulbs went off as more and more players, coaches, friends and family stepped up to get their heads shaved. Donna Jubinville, the manager of the Bandits, was volunteering at the event and could not say enough about the boys and what they were accomplishing. "This is a great turnout...I am so proud of these boys for doing this."
Blake Adams praised his teammate Tyler Jahn for all the hard work and effort he put into organizing this fundraiser. "It's a big thing, should be a yearly event... it looks like a hit."
