The Estevan Coldwell Banker Choice Real Estate U13 Chargers football team came up with one of the biggest regular season wins in recent memory on Saturday, as they defeated the Moose Jaw Spartans 33-20 in Moose Jaw.
The Spartans were the top-ranked team in the Moose Jaw Minor Football League’s U13 division entering the game, and are a perennial powerhouse in the league.
TJ Thomspon, making his first start at quarterback, played “exceptionally well,” said head coach Matt Schell. Estevan scored all of its touchdowns on the ground, with Thompson, Hugh Ross and Xander Pelletier getting majors.
“The game was tied at 20 with two minutes left in the game, and we were able to run behind our very stout offensive line. We chewed the clock up a bit, took the lead, and then Dexter Ciepliski got a late, heroic interception, and that allowed us on a short field to score the last touchdown and pretty much put the nail in the coffin,” said Schell.
Ross forced and recovered a fumble that turned the momentum of the game early in the fourth quarter when Estevan was down 20-14.
“He was all over the field. Just a complete nightmare for the opposition, and I had many coaches come up to me after the game and tell me what a difference maker he is on the field,” said Schell.
The Chargers pulled off the win even though four starters were out of the lineup, including three on defence.
Schell praised the efforts of the offensive line: Lexi Walkom, Arvin Sangar, Ryder Mantei, Dane Tober, Taya Stigings and Kayden DeBruyne.
“They were just absolutely manhandling Moose Jaw’s defence all game, and we played a complete game,” said Schell, who called it the most fun he’s ever had coaching.
Their next game is Oct. 2 against the Moose Jaw Lions at 3 p.m. at the Dana Quewezance Memorial Field at Woodlawn Athletic Park.
The next edition of the Mercury will have a full recap of the local minor football teams from the weekend.
