Pincher Creek Voice: Lethbridge Coyotes defeat Bantam Mustangs in season opener

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Lethbridge Coyotes defeat Bantam Mustangs in season opener

Josh Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

Bantam Mustangs vs Lethbridge Coyotes
C. Davis photos

The weather conditions were perfect for football on the Matthew Halton Field on Saturday, September 8, where the Pincher Creek Bantam Mustangs met with the Lethbridge Coyotes in their first game of the season. Both teams played a great game, demonstrating for the crowd the skills they have been honing at their recent practices.

Announcer Mike Myndau

Mike Myndau announced the game, delivering the play-by-play to an enthused audience.

The Lethbridge Coyotes started things off right, slipping past the Mustangs defense to earn a major score early in the first quarter. They successfully made the kick for a one point conversion, to start the second quarter off at 7-0. The Mustangs consolidated their defenses, working to keep back the Coyotes offensive line. However, the Coyotes offense was too strong, and their plays were long enough to make the Mustangs nervous. The first half of the game ended with a Coyotes touchdown and a two-point conversion, bringing the score to 15 – 0.

From the third quarter on, the Mustangs started looking more confident in their roles. Their offense was significantly stronger, and they made a couple of really solid interceptions, trying to push their opponents back to keep the ball in Coyote territory. However, it was ultimately too little, too late, as the Coyotes snuck another touchdown past the Mustang defenses. Through teamwork and perseverance, the Mustangs fought through the Coyotes’ defensive line, and as the 3 minute whistle blew the home team was sitting five yards from the end zone. However, the Coyotes’ wily defence proved too much for the Mustangs, and in the end they were denied a touchdown. The game ended with a final score of 21 – 0 for the Lethbridge Coyotes.

“It was our first game,” said Coach Dan Crawford of the team’s effort. “(At) the beginning of the game everyone was learning their positions and learning the plays, and taking a little bit of time to get ready to work together as a unit. Halftime we got things straightened around, and people came up and started playing the way we know they can. We kept up with them pretty good in the second half.”