Hedley Owls fall to Lefors Pirates, 45-28

Last Friday night, the Lefors Pirates outscored the Hedley Owls 45 to 28. Truth be known, the Owls were not beaten by the Pirates. The Owls were downed by too many fumbles, an unusual disparity in penalties called, and referees who didn’t appear to have a firm grasp of the rules of the game.

It was a game that unduly aged the coaches, frustrated the players, and created wailing and the great gnashing of teeth, along with some wonderful entertainment, by the Owls faithful. It was a game that offered both excitement and disbelief, almost simultaneously. Most of all, it was a game that was an absolute blast to watch, and I hope the players had fun.

The Owls simply played great most of the time. At critical moments during the game, fate seemed to rain misfortune and ruin on the Owls’ efforts, efforts that were both magnificent and prone to error at regular intervals.

With a little over seven minutes remaining in the first quarter, the Owls drove the ball to the Lefors 15 yard line, with a second and seven yards to paydirt. Hedley turned the ball over on downs at the Lefors two yard line when a dive into the center of the Lefors defense was stopped just short of the goal line.

Lefors then ran out the remainder of the first quarter, with the score 0-0.

Early in the second quarter, the Owls once again threatened to score. With the ball on the Lefors nine yard line, Hedley punched the ball across the goal line, only to see the touchdown negated by a holding penalty. Three plays later the Owls turned the ball over on downs at the Pirates 12 yard line.

After Lefors drove the ball to the Owls 23, the Owls’ defense stiffened and got the ball back for the offensive. On second and 15, senior running back Coltin Kingston completed a long pass to senior offensive lineman Brandon Evans to the Lefors 40 yard line. After driving the ball to the Pirates’ nine yard line, Brandon Evans put forth extra effort and bulled the ball over the goal line for a touchdown. The PAT was good and the Owls’ took their first lead of the season, 8-0.

Lefors took the ensuing kickoff and immediately answered with long drive for a touchdown. The PAT failed and the Owls led 8-6, with 2:31 remaining in the first half.

Hedley then fumbled the ball away on the first play after the Lefors kickoff. Lefors took the ball and immediately converted the turnover into another touchdown. The PAT was good and Lefors led 14-8 with 27 seconds left in the half.

Hedley took the kickoff on their own 35, and with 8 seconds left, lightening struck – Colton Kingston hit the speedy Nicco Bennett with a long touchdown pass, followed by a PAT. The Owls took a 16-14 lead into half-time.

During half time a line of thunderstorms with lightening passed close to the stadium and the second half kickoff was delayed by an hour or so, until the danger from lightening passed.

Lefors took the second half kickoff and drove it the length of the field for touchdown. The Owls blocked the PAT and held Lefors to a 20-16 lead.

The Owls, who have absolutely no quit in them, immediately answered with a touch down of their own when Coltin Kingston punched the ball across the goal line from a yard out. The PAT was blocked, and Hedley led 22-20.

Lefors answered with a long kickoff return and then punched the ball across from the five yard line, for a 26-22 lead.

Not to be outdone, Tanner Chambless took the following kickoff and picked his way through and around the Lefors Pirates for an Owls touchdown. The PAT was blocked by Lefors and Hedley again led 28-26.

For the remainder of the game, the Owls fell victim to questionable calls, fumbles, and misfortune. They were held scoreless for the rest of the game while Lefors tacked on another 19 points.

Hedley was penalized 12 times and Lefors was penalized four times. I thought that Hedley played the cleaner game and exhibited excellent sportsmanship. I can’t understand the disparity in the penalties called, and I closely watched the game.

Throughout the game the referees exhibited an unusual lack of understanding of the rules of six-man football. Perhaps they had an off night. In either event, penalties and officiating seldom cost a team a game. However, it was frustrating to see that the players had a better understanding of the game than the officials.

The Owls showed great improvement in their play and will win their share of games. These young men play well as a team, hustle on every play, and represent themselves very well.

The Owls travel to McLean this Friday, September 14. Kickoff is at 7:30 PM. Be there and you will enjoy yourself, and the team will appreciate your support.