CANMORE – The Wolverines advanced to zone playoffs after an emphatic home victory over the Olds Spartans on Saturday (Oct. 25).
But before the eight-team Tier 4 playoff race begins, the hungry Canmore football team has its sights set on a title defence – and revenge.
This Saturday (Nov. 2), the Wolverines battle its archival the Titans in Drumheller for the Big Sky league championship and not only is a three-peat possible, but also taking down the team that has barely edged them out twice this season.
“It means everything to us to go in there and beat that team – that banner means a lot to us,” said head coach Spencer Rose, already rocking a playoff beard as zones loom. “Some of the new guys haven’t had the experience yet [of] winning that title and what it’s like … and show them who we are.”
In the previous two seasons, the Wolverines went into Drum’ twice and twice walked out with the championship banner.
Powerhouse running back Albert Reed was a part of both squads and said it would mean the “world” to the Wolverines to capture it again.
“I think at the start of the season we were all kind of doubtful because we lost a lot of our seniors and we weren’t a very big o-line, but now we’re kind of building and building and getting better every game and we’re all so excited and it would be awesome for us to win it,” Reed said.
To advance to the Big Sky finals, the Wolverines cruised past Olds 49-6 at Millennium Field.
Reed bulldozed through the Spartans’ ranks for four touchdowns, and Eric Kania, Tait Cassie and Ian Chartrand each added a touchdown.
#Canmore Wolverine Albert Reed punches in 1 of his 4 TDs against the #Olds Spartans in Saturday’s 49-6 victory. Canmore will go for a 3-peat of the Big Sky championship next weekend in #Drumheller against the Titans. @WolverinesCan @FootballAlberta @CCHS_Canmore #football pic.twitter.com/sCmM7MRzA4
— Jordan Small (@jordiesmall) October 26, 2019
Having been sidelined for a few weeks due to an ankle injury, Reed was pleased to be back in his element on the gridiron and said the victory was a chemistry builder for the team.
“The o-line played awesome and opened up a lot of holes for me and allowed me to pound the ball,” he said.
The Wolverines offence focuses heavily on its running attack and Rose said they look like a different team when Reed runs the ball.
“I think we’re built to execute that formula,” Rose said. “This gives me confidence that we can go take care of business [this] weekend.”
It will be the first time the Wolverines will go for a three-peat of the Big Sky title, but it’ll be a challenge to earn it. So far this season, the Titans defeated Canmore 14-12 and 14-6.
Win or lose, the Wolverines are heading to zone playoffs on Nov. 9. Adding to the high stakes game in Drum’, a win over the Titans at Big Sky would give home field advantage to Canmore in the first round against a team yet to be determined.
