The season is over and the equipment has been turned in for the winter. The Bonnyville Bandits' off-season has begun and with that comes reflection of a season past. You would not typically expect upbeat and positive attitudes from players and coaches following a winless season. But with the Bandits the opposite is true.
From the beginning, the Bandits have been coached that a win is not everything in bantam football. Rather, head coach Dan Jubinville and the coaching staff teach the boys “effort, respect, heart and hustle.” Jubinville said, “The biggest thing for these guys is growth, both on a personal and athletic level.”
The coaching staff, which includes Jubinville, Mark Bergquist, Mickey Fagnan, Jim Church and Chad Inkster, also encourage community involvement, commitment to the team and for players to have pride in themselves.
Although these tactics may not translate immediately into wins, the coaches feel this is a very receptive age to be taught the importance of being a good citizen.
However, Jubinville said it would have been nice to see a few more breaks go his team's way, as a reward for his team's hard work and dedication all year.
“We knew we had a young team coming into this season, but the boys played hard and made good progress,” said Jubinville. “The beginning of the year, the game was going a million miles an hour, but as the season went on the game really slowed down for (the team).”
The coach pointed out several different areas of the game where his team made big improvements: “We're getting better at tackling and our blocking game has improved.” And on offence, “Our running game has smartened up and will be strong next season and our QB Gregory Godziuk appears a lot more comfortable. He has come a long way this season.”
Jubinville said many of his players made huge strides this year, mentioning Justin Church, Logan Drapaka and Daniel Du Preez for their excellent work on defence and Aaron Christion, Curtis Hollis and Braeden Letondre for their success on offence.
The Bandits have about 15 players moving onto the Voyageurs next season, a team Jubinville expects to be very strong.
“All the guys will do well in high school ball, especially being another year older, that's big.”
Two players moving on to the Voyageurs, Austin Adams and Josh Jubinville, said they are looking forward to moving up.
“We really had fun this year, but I'm definitely excited for the Voyageurs,” said Adams.
As for those players returning to the Bandits, the consensus seems to be that the team will be much stronger next season.
Josh's younger brother Brett Jubinville and Marcel Chartrand will both be on the Bandits next season and are already looking forward to it. “We had a young team this year, but we learned a lot,” said Chartrand.
“I have a feeling we'll do well…we should have a good team next year,” added Jubinville.
Coach Jubinville also expects a big year of his team next season.
“Our backfields on offence and defence gained a lot of experience this season and should be stronger next year.”
The coach also mentioned the team will be doing some recruiting in the off-season, looking for anyone interested in Bandits football.
And as a final touch to the season, the Bandits will be holding their year-end Out-hit, Out-heart, Out-hustle wrap-up banquet Nov. 2
