The Estevan Power Dodge U12 Chargers' season wrapped up with a 12-6 loss to the Weyburn Ravens at the Dana Quewezance Memorial Field at Woodlawn Athletic Park in the consolation round semifinal.
Ben Guertin had the Chargers' lone score.
Coach James Haagsman noted Estevan had a 6-0 lead for much of the game, but they took three bad penalties on offence that pushed them deep into their own territory. After turning the ball over, Weyburn tied the game and sent it into overtime.
Weyburn scored on a passing play on their first possession in extra time. Estevan moved the ball deep into Weyburn territory only to commit a fumble and end the game.
Haagsman noted they had a lot of players with no football experience entering this season, but they picked up a win over Weyburn and kept a lot of games competitive.
"The kids learned a lot," said Haagsman. "The … most important part of this level of football is to learn fundamentals and be able to carry on what they learned to the next level."
Chargers' second-year linebacker Max Ogdanskiy was named the defensive MVP for the Moose Jaw Minor Football League.
"Teams specifically tailored their offences to not have to play against him and where he was. He started the year … on the end, and they would just run their offence the other direction. So mid-season, I picked up on that, and I moved him into middle linebacker, so that he could make plays on both sides [of the field]."
It wasn't his natural position, but he adapted and learned new schemes quickly. Regardless of what's needed, Haagsman said Ogdanskiy will do his job.
Sixteen of 24 players on the Chargers are eligible to return next season, but Haagsman said they will be part of the recruiting push for youth football in Estevan.
