Game Five: Predators vs. Storm

The final weekend of the 2007 midget football regular season, and the Outlaws are at a very windy Clarke Park with their undefeated streak on the line. Their opposition, the 3-and-1 St. Albert Storm, have a lot of talent and pride and they'd like nothing better than to spoil the Outlaws party. If the Storm can do that it could cause a log jam in league standings, where all four of the Tier 1 teams entering the playoffs might have identical four-and-one records. Sitting here in the big easy chair the day after the game, it almost seems that it was destiny - Parkland completes their sweep of the CDMFA regular season in midget Tier I. But yesterday afternoon, sitting in the bleachers at Clarke, it was a very different feeling through most of the game. St. Albert had team toughness, and they also had a lot of weapons - they didn't look the least bit intimidated by the undefeated Outlaws. For most of the game, the Outlaws defense had trouble getting to the St. Albert quarterback, and the Storm had several players on offense who could run the ball effectively. They also weren't afraid to go to the air when they had the opportunity. Meanwhile, the Outlaws offense and special teams had their work cut out for them too. St. Albert forced a couple of turnovers early in the game, and helped themselves to a quick 3 - 0 lead before some of the fans had even settled in their seats. The Outlaws soon settled down though. While both teams were able to engineer long drives on offense, the Outlaws may have had the edge in combining raw power with speed and finesse. Neil came in several times as a fullback with some of the other husky fellows when we needed to "move the pile" in short yardage situations. Pierce and Kevin reeled off some sick gains as tailbacks. Garrett was able to distribute the ball around to all his receivers, finding Colton, Vance, Brayden and Dylan for a few yards when we really needed them, or for the home run shot when it was available. Back on the Outlaws defense, we got a great team performance (as usual) with everybody chipping in and Joey and Josh dishing out a couple of the more memorable hits. This was a game that had everything - two evenly matched teams, tricky weather (boy I'm glad we don't play in a domed stadium!), big plays, goal line stands, and for the Outlaws - a happy ending. Final score: Outlaws 23 - Storm 17.

Upcoming Events

Lots of Stuff!

We've got playoffs, we've got registration coming up soon for Parkland Predators, we've got the three day "Predators Spring Football Camp", and we've got the BIG RALLY at City Hall on May 14th. I'll post more details on all these events later - right now I don't have the sheet that my son brought home from football last night. (And besides, the Old Blogger is supposed to be working.)

Ciao!

(Mayor Scott - We're expecting a YES vote on May 14th and we'll be there, RESPECTFULLY and POLITELY showing our support for the Sports Fields at West District Park!)

Practice on Wednesday, April 24th

We've added one additional practice this week, so the teams will be practicing on Tuesday, April 23rd, Wednesday, April 24th and Thursday, April 25th. Bandits have a game on Friday and Outlaws play on Saturday.

This is the final week of regular season play in the 2007 Midget season, and it looks like a busy one! The weather is looking much better (finally!). Go get 'em guys!

Football Alberta Selection Camp

We had a great time this weekend at Foote Field where some of our Parkland Football players and coaches participated in an incredible event. This was a selection camp for two teams; "Team Alberta North" for the U-17 tournament to be held this year in Quebec, and "Team North" for the annual Bantam Bowl provincial championship to be held in May, this year in Edmonton. There were more than 250 elite football players at the camp from all over northern Alberta. There was an incredible spirit of competition and camaraderie - fans cheered for all the great plays we saw during scrimmage, no matter who made them. Players encouraged each other in the drills and "one on one" competitions. Coaches and scouts helped each player give their best effort and "show their stuff".

Our Parkland guys looked good. They looked very, very good. The coaches for both Football Alberta teams now have the tough job of selecting their rosters. With so many elite players to choose from they won't have any problem finding the talent. But the decisions will be extremely tough.

Congratulations to all the Parkland Football players and coaches who participated and made us all so proud! Rosters should be posted to the Football Alberta web site by noon on Monday, April 23rd. There's a link to the Football Alberta page over there - to the right.

The Old Blogger Was Pretty Grumpy on Saturday

It was lack of sleep, mostly. The Old Blogger usually doesn't have trouble sleeping, and we can't remember any occasion in the past where he's been kept awake by something he read in the local paper. But on Friday night he read a rather disturbing article in the Stony Plain Reporter, on page three. It seems Jason Acker is circulating a petition in Spruce Grove, to try and force a plebiscite on the West District Park sports fields. Mr. Acker thinks that this park will be too expensive and that it will only benefit "a small, select group of athletes". He says that the City of Spruce Grove hasn't communicated effectively on this issue and there needs to be more discussion involving Spruce Grove residents.
Mr. Ackers' claims and opinions, as reported in this newspaper article, are just plain loony. If he thinks these sports fields aren't needed - he's wrong. If he thinks that these fields are going to be cheaper to build some time in the future - he's wrong about that too. If he thinks that $5.4 million in CAMRIF grants from the federal and provincial governments can be spent on some other project, or that we can say "not right now, hang on to that grant money because we might need it in a few years" - well, we all know that hound won't hunt. If Mr. Acker thinks that there hasn't been discussion or communication between the City of Spruce Grove and the citizens of Spruce Grove - where the heck has he been these past two years?
The fact is that the citizens of Spruce Grove have been involved in the planning of this sports park and have waited for it to become reality for many many years. And more recently, as plans to build it next to the TLC have developed and taken shape, it is the citizens of Spruce Grove and the minor sports organizations who have dared to dream of a premiere facility, a lighted field, artificial turf - a facility that can withstand constant usage in all kinds of weather from early spring until late fall.
You see Mr. Acker, many, many citizens of Spruce Grove have driven to Edmonton to watch our Spruce Grove teams play their "home games" at Clarke Park and other facilities in the city. We've watched our kids trying to practice football in shin-deep mud - try to prepare for playoff games in the feeble and inadequate light provided by donated portable generators. We've watched our athletes, our children, risking injury on worn out sports fields that just can't stand up to the heavy use of our ever expanding programs. We parents have lined up at half time to use the porta-potties! And now that we have this absolute jewel, this dream - with the TLC on one hand and right next door a first class outdoor sport facility - now that this is finally nearing reality, Mr. Acker wants a discussion? Sorry Mr. Acker - sorry if you've missed out somehow. Not our fault if you weren't there, but the discussion has already happened and it has borne fruit. Take your petition and peddle it somewhere else.
Oh yes - and as for Mr Ackers' claim that a sports facility "caters to a small, select group of athletes..."? Pick up that same copy of the Stony Plain Reporter and turn from page three back to the front page. "Stony Plain Catches Cup Fever" ! Congratulations Stony Plain. Great job hosting a very successful Allan Cup tournament. It was nice to read of all the visiting athletes and supporters of teams from across Canada, who came to your town and apparently had a great time. It's good that so many local people came out to cheer on the home town boys as they competed on home ice for a national championship. Sounds like it drew lots of positive attention to the town. Local businesses, restaurants and hotels seemed happy to be "crazy busy" during the Allan Cup event. Sounds like the whole Tri Municipal region will benefit from your hard work and vision.
I think the Old Blogger will be able to sleep just fine tonight.

Parkland Predators High School Football "Texas Scramble" Golf Tournament

It's time once again to sign up for the Parkland Predators annual fund raiser golf tournament. This event is always a blast, the golfing and the "socializing" will be awesome, and it's a great way to support our high school football teams. (And a great way to fulfill one of your fund raising commitments if you have a kid playing high school ball!) The tournament will be held at Cougar Creek on Saturday June 23, with a 9:00 A.M. "shotgun start". Cost is $150 per person and includes 18 holes of golf, cart, continental breakfast, supper and valet service! There will also be some terrific prizes and give aways. No offense to the fine folks who run our bingo halls, but let's be realistic - does this sound like it might be more fun than working a bingo? ;-P

Contact one of the Predators team managers, Karen or Olenka, for information or tickets. (If you are involved in midget ball this spring you might not have the contact information for our two wonderful high school team managers. In that case, ask one of the midget team managers, who are also wonderful, to hook you up.)

Get your registrations in right away!

(Note, there is also an opportunity for hole sponsorship with a minimum contribution of $150.)

Game 4: Outlaws 36 - Chargers 0

After the games that were played this week, all our midget football teams should probably get some kind of award or medal. Getting knocked down on this field must have seemed like being tossed into a big tub filled with ice water. Before tonight's game was half over, most of the players on both teams were soaked through and chilled to the bone, and it must have taken every bit of heart that they could muster for those guys to go out and give the effort that they did. You've gotta love this game!

Despite the filthy weather the Outlaws managed to come up with what might be one of their best games up to this point in the season. It wasn't a night for fancy plays or for the type of aerial attack that the Outlaws have relied on in previous games this year. Instead, it was mostly up to Parkland's twin "giants" Pierce and Kevin, and the Outlaws O-Line, to try and keep the chains moving on offense. By the end of the first quarter each of the Outlaws backs had scored a touchdown. Meanwhile, the Parkland defense just keeps getting better with every game they play. For the most part on this night they managed to shut down the Chargers attack, although they often needed more than one tackler to bring down the Edmonton ball carriers. In the second quarter Parkland's offense added one more touchdown and the Chargers gave up a safety touch, so at the half time break the Outlaws had a 21 - 0 lead.

In the second half the Outlaws seemed to pick up pretty much where they had left off. Again, the passing game didn't generate a lot of offense (for either team), but the Chargers defense managed on several occasions to intercept the Outlaws and turn-overs made the game interesting with the Outlaws pinned deep in their own end for much of the third quarter, and the Chargers threatening to score. The Outlaws weren't in a mood to let that happen though, and in the fourth quarter when Pierce broke through for a 70 yard carry from deep in his own end, it was clear that this game was going to end up as another Parkland win.

This was another one of those games where team discipline made a huge difference. The Outlaws had very few mental mistakes and a bare minimum of penalties assessed against them. This is a style of play and a trait that has been evident in most of the Outlaws games this year.

Congratulations Outlaws on another impressive win! And to both teams; a purple heart - or perhaps more appropriately - a "purple hands" award, for battling hard under very adverse conditions.

Attention Outlaws - Practice on Wednesday

We've added one additional practice this week for Outlaws. Players need to show up tomorrow (Wednesday, April 18) at the usual time, usual place. (That's 5:30 pm at the SGCHS practice field.) This is official - not an unfortunate rumour like some of my ealier postings.

For this practice, you'll just need your helmets and sweats. And cleats I suppose, or possibly rubber boots if the weather forecast is accurate. :-P

Parkland Bandits Players, Coaches and Bandit Fans - Take Particular Notice!

Bandits (and anyone interested in things "Bandit related") - you may have found this site is of limited appeal.

Well... don't give up on us! The old Blawg Dawg has some exciting news - which will be announced shortly. Bookmark this page and check back with us because in the next couple of days we should have somethin' good for you.

Game 3: Ravens and Outlaws

A meeting of two undefeated teams in Midget Tier I football.
The minutes...
The meeting was called to order by Nik - returning the Ravens opening kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown. "Wooooooooooooooooo" indeed! The Outlaws offense added another seven points late in the first half, after our defence had stopped a couple of very determined drives by the Ravens offense. (No signs of malnutrition on that Ravens team! No ninety-eight pound weaklings in sight. Where did they get those huge kids?)
Half time score; Outlaws 14 - Ravens 0
In the third quarter it was the Ravens who came out with guns blazing - pinning our Outlaws behind their own 40 for much of the quarter and capping one of their drives with a touchdown. Outlaws special teams really seemed to impress the on-field officials throughout the game - the referees were so impressed that after each punt and convert they allowed our guys to line up and try it again from five yards back! This heavy weight slugging match was punctuated by several explosive plays from the Outlaws offense. Kevin J. demonstrated what can happen when you hit a gap really really quick and then start shaking off tackles. And if the Ravens defence paid too much attention to our running backs, they sometimes found our quarterback hooking up with a receiver for a big play through the air. An eighty yard touchdown to Colton got the fans on their feet. Oh yes - we also saw a couple more of Brayden's devastating "snot-wobbler" blocks. No worries Garrett - the guys have your back!
Late in the fourth quarter Devo moved the meeting adjourned - taking a shotgun snap as quarterback and running it in something like 50 yards for the Outlaws last touchdown. (Several of the Ravens players thought they had Devo lined up on that play - but he just kept finding another gear and blew by them all.)
Final Score; Outlaws 27 - Ravens 7

Outlaws Team Bus Leaving Early!

Saturday, April 14th. Game Day!

Just thought I'd post - although our players probably know already. Apparently the Outlaws bus will be leaving a little earlier than usual for the 2:30 game. Players should try to be at the SGCHS shack by 11:30 - 11:45 am.

New Feature: Parkland Football Maps!

I've added a new item to the "Links" section (over there on the right) - Parkland Football Maps. I know what you're saying. "But Jayson, I don't need no stinkin' map! I already know where Clarke Park is. Haven't I froze my @!*# off three times already this spring, watching football at Clarke?"

And I would answer - these maps aren't for existing Parkland Football fans. They are meant for the legions of new fans who will be coming out to our games. Anyway, check out the links if you're interested. If I've done it right, you'll have a map of Edmonton that is zoom-able, scrollable, and with Parkland Football placemarkers such as Clarke Park, Foote Field, etc. You can even ask Google Maps to generate driving directions and you can turn on the satellite photo layer to see if I've placed the markers accurately.

Scheduling Update - Practice Added For Friday, April 13th

We've added one additional practice session this week for both Outlaws and Bandits. This means we have practice on Thursday April 12th and Friday April 13th. The usual time - players should be at the field by 5:30 pm, practice is from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. At least we should have good weather for these ones!

Check the Parkland Football Calendar for these and other scheduled events. (See the link at the right or scroll down to the calendar summary at the bottom of this page.)

U-17 and Bantam Bowl Try Outs

Some of our Parkland Football players (and at least one coach I think) are already registered and will be involved this year in the Football Alberta "Under 17 Team Alberta North" and the "Alberta Bantam Bowl" tryouts. The selection camps are a little more than one week away, with registration and physical testing on Friday April 20th for U-17 players, and training camp on the following Saturday and Sunday at Foote Field (University of Alberta) for both U-17 and Bantam Bowl players.

For more info on the U-17 tryouts check the Football Alberta web site here: http://www.footballalberta.ab.ca/programs/teamAB.htm

For information on the Bantam Bowl tryouts check this page:
http://www.footballalberta.ab.ca/programs/bantam.htm

Best of luck to all the Parkland Football players! Give it your very best shot, enjoy the experience, and represent the Parkland Football programs well. (I'm sure you will do that - didn't even need to be said!)

Correction - Correction - Correction

Oops! I did it again! In a previous post I stated that in Game One of this season the Parkland Outlaws handed the Sherwood Park Rams their first loss ever in Midget Football. I found out today that's not necessarily true. Anybody know which midget team beat the Rams previously, and when it happened? I'll be watching the "Comments" to see if somebody can post the correct answer. (Midget Football Trivia!)

Scheduling Update! Stay Tuned to This Blog!

I haven't heard anything officially yet. (Nothing is official until I hear it from Bobbie - see previous posts!) However, never let it be said that Jayson is afraid to post unofficial "facts" and scheduling changes.

Anyway, it looks like our guys might be off for a bit of an Easter break. Check back on the Parkland Football blog for the official scheduling changes.

Game 2: Outlaws 35 - Raiders 8

There is no joy in Raider-ville tonight.

Parkland came out to play, and they played hard! Both offence and defense executed their game plans pretty near to perfection - that's how it looked to me anyway. Once again, team discipline was a huge factor tonight, with our guys taking very few penalties and keeping mental errors to an absolute minimum. Our D-Line looked very quick and very strong - giving the Raiders offence all kinds of trouble. Meanwhile, on Outlaws offence Garrett had another great game at QB, and Colton made some key catches and ran extremely hard - breaking tackles all over the field. I have to give the Raiders credit though - on a night when things definitely didn't go their way they did not roll over.

Another great performance guys! Let's keep it going!

Check Your Sources Jayson. Check Your Sources!

I'm tempted to take that last post off the web site, but I think I'll leave it there as a reminder to myself. Nothing is official until Bobbie says it's official!
:-)

Practice is on. The weather is horrible, but after all - we're not a bunch of "panty waist"s. We're a football club!

Important Update! Practice Cancelled Today!!!

I've just heard (unofficially) that practice is cancelled today. (Monday, April 2nd.) Our online calendar will be updated as soon as I get a chance to talk with Bobbie and confirm.