Usually football is played on a green field but on Friday evening, October 27, a white snow covered Elks Athletic Field greeted the Moose Jaw Vikings and Weyburn Falcons.
The two teams were playing for the U14 championship trophy in the Kinsmen Moose Jaw Minor Football League action. .
In a game where the ball was bobbled countless times, snow flew into the air on tackles, players tripped on snow blown five yard markers and players congregated around portable propane heaters Weyburn won.
The final score was Weyburn Falcons 52 and Moose Jaw Vikings 20.
The First Quarter score was Weyburn 6 and Moose Jaw 0 after the Falcons failed to score on a kicked conversion.
The Vikings would fight back in the Second Quarter to take a temporary 8 - 6 lead following a touchdown and successful two point conversion.
But the lead wouldn’t last as the Falcons would come back adding 14 unanswered points with the halftime score Weyburn 20 and Moose Jaw 8.
The Third Quarter saw the Falcons add to their lead 32 - 14.
The quarter saw the Vikings add another unconverted touchdown versus two unconverted touchdowns by the Falcons.
The Fourth Quarter saw the Vikings defense starting to threaten the Falcons.
The Vikings defence forced the ball to turn over on downs but in the ensuing play the Falcons defence returned the favour. Then the Falcons offence came back with a big play seemingly cementing over any hopes of a late Vikings rebound.
The Final Score was Falcons 52 and the Vikings 20.
In his post game talk to the team Vikings head coach Colin Belsher told his players despite the loss the team had a season to be proud of.
Belsher told the Vikings players that what they had over the last few months was something special that they would never have again.
Despite the loss in the championship game the team had come together and through hard work gone where the U14 Vikings had not gone for years.
“Yeah it’s always tough (to play in this weather). But it’s tough on both teams,” Belsher said in the post game interview.
Not only was the majority of the field covered with four plus inches of snow. Friday evening also had a strong breeze making the temperature feel like a sharp knife.
Players from both sides we’re often huddled around portable propane construction heaters, warming up throughout the game.
“It’s unfortunate that the season comes down to one game. It’s unfortunate that kids only coming down to one game,” he said, adding “ have pride in what you’ve done. Be proud in what you’ve done all year.”
The Vikings have had a stupendous season dominating the U14 league only losing one regular season game to the Moose Jaw Raiders.
“There are winners and losers in football but unfortunately we were on the other end (tonight). It doesn’t take away from the hard work these boys have put in all year,” Belsher said.
He said the work ethic of the 2023 U14 Vikings was second to none.
“Yeah these guys worked hard. These guys worked hard all year and I’m very proud of them. You know they gained some new friendships and they hopefully learned to love the game of football and it’s unfortunate the season is coming to an end I’m going to miss these guys.”
Asked about the positive aspect of minor football and forming character - learning to work with a team, meeting new positive friends and staying out of trouble - Belsher said it’s what football is about.
“That’s what football is all about. It’s about discipline. It’s about commitment. It’s about learning how to work hard. It’s about learning how to work through adversity,” Belsher said, adding “You have your highs and your lows. You have to be humble when you win and also have to be respectful when you lose.”
“Our motto has always been there is learning in winning. There is no winning in losing so hopefully the kids learn from tonight and they move forward.”
Regarding minor sports in general seen as a positive influence on young people’s lives and retaining them as they grow older, “It’s just a matter of keeping kids involved,” said Belsher. “Sports are good for everybody and I’m really proud of these kids.”
Asked even though the Vikings failed to win the league championship how do you weigh the positives for being involved in player’s lives.
“I think the strength of a coach is the relationship he builds with his kids. It’s not about the wins and losses. The wins and losses are really important to the kids. Of course every coach wants to win and really doesn’t enjoy losing but it’s all about the character you build in these kids,” he said, adding “the trust you build in these kids. And the relationship you build with these kids.”
The most outstanding thing for Belsher over the season was “ kids, standing up and learning new positions. Finding some talents they didn’t know about. And watching these kids work hard all year and seeing the fruits of your labour come about.”
Although the Viking season is done on the playing field the players will gather once more for a wrap up party at a later date and time.
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