The Westlock Thunderbirds remain winless in 2018, narrowly losing their Sept. 28 Friday Night Lights game 28-26 to the Cold Lake Royals.
With the defeat the club is now 0-5 in the Wheatland Football League with one regular season and one exhibition game left to play.
Head coach Jon Kramer said the team’s performance and never-give-up attitude throughout the game was encouraging.
“It’ll hurt for a little while to be so close,” he said.
“We had our chances, though. Usually in a game you point to two or three plays that should’ve gone the other way, but there were probably a dozen in that game that could have been difference makers.
“But we came to play, the guys were engaged and did some really good things out there, so we’re pretty encouraged that we ran a clean and entertaining game.”
Westlock and Cold Lake traded the lead throughout, but the Thunderbirds were their own worst enemy, making a brilliant play only to have it called back because of a penalty, or narrowly missing a tackle.
Despite the setbacks, Kramer said the game was probably the best they’ve played all season.
“There’s a few things that we’re trying to clean up,” he said. “Now it’s coming to realize that some plays are bigger than others. We have to grow to be able to understand situational stuff and focus on the little things.”
They’ll soon have a chance to try their new plays out. The Thunderbirds are set to host the Olds Bulldogs for a charity exhibition game Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. During it they’ll be collecting money to help the family of Tristan Johnson with their living expenses as he undergoes treatment for leukemia.
Kramer noted the exhibition game will give them a chance to rest some of their more beat-up players, but said they still want the win.
“I think they’ve had a similar season to us, so it will be a good chance for us to try a few new things,” he said. “We’ll play to win for sure, the guys haven’t tasted a win for over a year. But we’ll make sure everybody gets their minutes and we’ll probably try a new formation on offence and keep the learning going.”
After that, Westlock hosts the Wainwright Commandos for the season closer. Depending on how that game goes, the Thunderbirds could be the third, second or first seed in the consolation playoffs.
“A couple weeks ago Wainwright beat Cold Lake 14-12, so if we end up beating Wainwright by more than two we’ll finish ahead of both of them going into playoffs,” he said. “So our destiny is still in our hands, we’re just trying to keep the guys encouraged and growing as a unit.”
