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Gridiron history 101 |
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Written by Dale Woodard
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Friday, 20 November 2009 |
Tradition versus tradition. Tonight’s Football Alberta Tier I provincial final between the number one-ranked Raymond Comets and the third-ranked Sherwood Park Bev Facey Falcons will just as much of a history lesson as it will be a rematch when the opening kickoff sails at at 6 p.m. at Foote Field in Edmonton.
As the Comets get set to defend their Tier I title they earned the same time last year thanks to a 31-7 victory over Bev Facey on the same Foote Field, they’ll do so against a team steeped in just as much tradition as the Comets have carved out for themselves in Raymond.
“We know they're a big team,” said Comets head coach Dustin Ralph, on the phone from Edmonton on the eve of this weekend’s championship tilt. “They've got a tradition there. They've been to the provincial final three years in a row. They’re going to be hungry because they remember us beating them last year.”
With gametime looming tonight, the history lesson continues for last year’s Comets who tasted the thrill of a provincial title.
“They all remember what it was like to come here and beat Bev Facey last year,” said Ralph, whose team scored a convincing 37-0 victory over the Notre Dame Pride of Calgary to earn a berth in this year’s final. “We’ve prepared them all year and improving on all the things we’ve done up to this point.”
Then there are the rookies who will get a crash course in this history lesson when the opening snap takes place.
However, those rookies have already gotten a taste of the post-season and the pressure that comes with it, said Ralph.
And they’ve responded favourably.
“We just tell them to treat it like any other game,” said the Comets bench boss.
“It (playoffs) is the kind of situation where you lose and you’re done. That comes with a lot of pressure. They’ve been in these games before, going in with the same mindset and preparation. I think the focus is there. The kids are always aware of what’s at stake and they’ve stepped up to the occasion when the pressure has been placed on them.”
Finally, there are the Grade 12 graduating veterans who will experience this gridiron history lesson for the last time, no matter what happens on the field tonight.
“I think there are a bit more emotions for the Grade 12s,” said Ralph. “Especially in the last practice in Raymond (Thursday). I think there’s a lot of emotions that dome with that. Come Monday it’s time to take off that jersey and you never put in on your shoulders again.”
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