ST. PAUL – The St. Paul Bengals football team received their championship rings during a ring ceremony held on March 18 at the St. Paul Regional High School.
The Bengals won their third consecutive league championship during the 2024 Wheatland Bantam Football League. Representing northern Alberta, the team also won its third consecutive provincial championship in the bantam 9-a-side Tier 1 category.
Head coach Derek Zapisocki said the Bengals are now preparing for the upcoming season. Spring camp will begin in May and recruitment is also underway.
"We're always aiming for the championship," but the 2025 season could be tougher, according to the coach. This year, 20 players will be graduating from the Bengals' bantam team and moving up to the Lions, while only 15 players will be returning.
Encouraging others to join, Zapisocki said football may have a steep learning curve, but it's not difficult to figure out. It also teaches accountability and discipline.
"Football is the greatest sport ever," he believes.
One of the graduating players this year is Tyson Trefenanko, who played quarterback for the Bengals. He also encourages other youth to join the team.
"We have great coaches that are definitely the best in the province," he said.
"It's a great team. Everybody helps out. Everybody teaches others. It's a great family," added Trefenanko. "That's the reason we repeated [winning championships]."
