Southern Alberta
Minor Football Association
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Updated August 5th, 2000

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Summer Games News: Team South Wins!

Team South brought home the Gold Medal for the first time in Summer Games competition, having placed second in 1995 and fourth in 1997. The team that was made up of players from eleven different communities and truly came together during demanding two a day practices in Lethbridge. Team South began the tournament with three games on Friday July 20th. Their first challenge was at 8:00 A.M. against Zone 2, "Big Country" which featured players from Airdrie, Beiseker, Blackie, Balzac, Cochrane, Drumheller, Hanna, High River, Olds, Okotoks, Sundre and Strathmore. The game was extremely physical and Team South managed to win 6-0 after turning the ball over four times and relied on field position and defense to hang on. Mitch Bohonos tossed a screen pass to Jacob Swainson who rumbled in for a 40 yard touchdown run behind Linemen Allan Bergsma and David Gruninger. Ben Swen was lost to the team at safety with a knee injury that occurred while returning a punt. Team South's second challenge was against Zone 4 "Parkland" at 12:00 P.M. and Ken Mazurek got the start at QB for the South which went onto win 21-0. The South defense was again strong and the offense managed to get their rhythm as they experimented with the playbook. Team South's third game of the tournament at 6:00 P.M. was with the 1997 Gold Medallists, Calgary. Team South had been preparing for this game since training camp and knew that a victory would ensure a birth in the Gold Medal Game. Neither team had surrendered a point on defense and Calgary had scored six more points on offense. This game was extremely emotional, intense and above all physical. Coach Nightingale dawned a hard hat that was presented to him and the team brought their lunch buckets for this extremely physical game. The players barked like wild "Dingos" from the opening kick off when the dependable Claiton Pierson of Taber recovered a fumbled Kick Return. A few plays later the nimble Willie Lloyd scored on the patented "Guard O'Rama." The South never looked back and went on to win 21-0, earning them a trip to the Gold Medal Game against Zone 5 "Black Gold". Solid performance from Andrew Patzer, Mitch Bohonos and the injured Jacob Swainson were key to the victory. Also providing strong efforts were: Eric Walther, Brooker Banack, Richard Toth, Shane Lambert, Garret Payne, Allan Bergsma, James Caldwell, Bryson Iwaasa, Tyler Weaver, and David Gruninger. The Gold Medal Game was played on Sunday at 10:30 A.M. and Zone 5 and Zone 1 were meeting for the second time in three games. Zone 5 was the most successful Summer Games team heading into the final game, having won gold in 1995 and Silver in 1997. The "Black Gold" featured nine players from the Provincial Champion Sherwood Park Rams, and ex CFL great Dan Bass as part of the coaching staff. The game was physical, disciplined and very well played by both teams. Mitch Bohonos got the start and the South went with an unexpected arial attack which featured multiple formations. Raymond's grade 9 sensation David Court was the player of the game hauling in numerous passes which he managed to set himself up perfectly for. After the south opened a lead through the air with the help of Court and Richard Toth, they managed to grind it out with a combination of jumbo formations which featured David Gruninger at Fullback and Andrew Patzer at tail back both extremely athletic converted Guards. The injured and courageous Jacob Swainson also carried the mail behind the jumbos and Brooker Banack provided some tough running as the south pounded out a 25-13 victory. The defense was again stellar yielding only 6 points and those were set up from a unsuccessful third down gamble late in the fourth quarter when the offense was trying to eat the clock. Defensive leaders were again David Gruninger, Andrew Patzer, Eric Walther and Bryson Iwaasa, with Jason Still, Brandon Mandel, Tyler Weaver, and Will Lloyd all playing solid for the defense. The five man coaching staff also deserves recognition with Darren Klein of the Medicine Hat Hawks returning for his second Summer Games taking charge of the Defensive Line, Special Teams, Team Fitness and overall energy. Scott Chadsey also returned for his second games as a Defensive Back coach and managed to build a solid secondary from converted linebackers and receivers. Chadsey is the Head Coach of the Lethbridge Stampeders. Reg Dawson guided a talented offensive line, many of whom he developed over the past three years with the Lethbridge Stampeders where he has been an assistant coach. Mike Nightingale was very impressive with his building of Linebackers and overall Team Defense. Nightingale was previously a defensive coordinator with LCI and Coaldale and will take his many talents to CCH of Lethbridge in the fall. Finally, Jamie Fisher performed Head Coaching duties as well as coaching of the Quarterbacks, Receivers, and Running Backs. Fisher assisted with the South's team in 1995 and Coached Running Backs in 1997. Fisher will take over the Head coaching duties with the Lethbridge Lions and return as offensive coordinator for WCHS of Lethbridge. Special thanks also goes out to guest coaches Ron Moline, Offensive Line; Pete Christos, Receivers; and Dean Johnson, Running Backs. Their assistance was instrumental in running efficient practices and their expertise was appreciated. Team South would also like to recognize all the parents and family that provided billeting assistance. Also special thanks to those parents and family members that were able to make the journey to Grande Prairie, your support of the team was appreciated.

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