B4 RED DEER ADVOCATE Monday, June 3, 2013
Buccaneers open season with a win BY GREG MEACHEM ADVOCATE SPORTS EDITOR Buccaneers 34 Stallions 7 As season-openers go, this one was a keeper. “It was a very good game. We still have stuff to work on but it was nice to have a impressive start to the year,” said Central Alberta Buccaneers head coach Duane Brown, whose squad tamed the Edmonton Stallions 34-7 in Alberta Football League action Saturday at Lacombe’s MEGlobal Athletic Park. While the Bucs’ offence needed a few plays to get into stride, the other half of the team was in combat mode from the get go. “The biggest key for us was that our defence set the tone right off the bat,” said Brown. “They took full control of the game early, confused the other guys and put us in a position where our offence could spent time getting their feet wet. Once their feet were there, the offence took control as well, but the defence definitely set the tone for our day.” The Buccaneers scored a touchdown in the first quarter, then pulled away in the second frame. “We took a couple of drives to get our feet going, but after that we kind of put the pedal down and exploded in the second quarter with three scores,” said Brown. “We took control of the game there and kind of cruised in the third and fourth quarters.” The 2013 Buccaneers roster features several new faces, including running back Skylar Sargeant, a Lacombe native who played junior football with the Edmonton Huskies the past two years, and receiver Chad Murray, who hauled in a pair of touchdown passes from quarterback Byron Stearns. Murray has played senior football in Ontario and holds single-season receiving records in the Northern Football Conference. “Those two are absolutely key players for us,” sad Brown. “They are impact players.” In addition, the Bucs have welcomed back a few players who suited up with the team before retiring for one or more seasons. Defensive end Ian Keetch, who recorded four sacks Saturday, is among that group. Veteran Corey Pusey, meanwhile, has shown his versatility by moving to receiver after playing fullback, linebacker and halfback in previous years. “Corey made some great, clutch catches tonight,” said Brown, referring to Pusey’s two grabs for 32 yards. Stearns started at quarterback and completed 11 of 20 passes for 173 yards before handing the ball to Andrew Stannix, who mopped up by completing one of four attempts for seven yards. Stearns fired two touchdown strikes to each of Murray and Jamie Blinkhorn. Murray hauled in five passes for 72 yards and Blinkhorn had three catches for 56 yards. Tylor Johnson booted four converts and two field goals, the longest being 38 yards, to round out the scoring. In the special teams department, Josh Achtemichuk had eight punts for 257 yards — 44 being the longest — and Mark Fay returned four punts for 62 yards. The Buccaneers have already equalled last year’s total of one win and Brown is convinced that the current crew is much better than the 1-5 squad that missed the playoffs in 2012. “Absolutely, this team has the potential to be the best Bucs team in a very long time,” said the sideline boss. “We have a new offensive line, which along with a lack of depth, has been the team’s Achilles heel. We’ve had great starters but we haven’t had those solid backups who can come in and be effective if someone gets hurt. This year we have depth at every single position on the field.” The club’s O-line is anchored by veteran Sean O’Donnell and includes for members of the newlydefunct Edmonton Garrison Army team. The Bucs return to action this Saturday when they host the defending national champion Lloydminster Vandals at 7 p.m. at MEGlobal Athletic Park. The Vandals opened their regular season on an extremely sour note Saturday, absorbing a gmeachem@reddeeradvocate.com
LOCAL BRIEFS
Nordic ski club members win awards Three members of the Red Deer Nordic Ski Club were honoured during the Cross Country Alberta awards dinner Saturday in Calgary. Gavin Rittamer and Bailey Johnson were presented with the provincial aggregate awards from the under-14 provincial championships. In addition, head coach Graeme Moore was named Cross Country Alberta coach of the year for his work and dedication in growing the Red Deer program and helping to develop many top provincial-class skiers over the past three years. Gavin and Bailey will form part of the provincial development ski team, as will fellow Red Deer Nordic Ski Club members Claire Espey and Anna Zimmerman.
Pasula wins junior golf event Red Deer golfer Brett Pasula ran away from the rest of the field in the boys 15-19 division of the Canadian Junior Golf Association Nike Series event at River Bend during the weekend. Pasula posted back-to-back scores of three-under 69 to finish with a 36-hole total of 138 and a six-stroke victory over Scott McNichol of Calgary (72-72—144). Brandon Zimmerman of Edmonton finished third at 149 (74-75), while Bryce Melville of Morinville was fourth at 150 (77-73) and Ryan Caines of Sundre (7676) and Grant Numrich (75-77) and Nolan Bruin (7280) of Red Deer tied for fifth with 152 totals. Allan and Michael Pruss of Red Deer finished ninth and 10th with respective 36-hole totals of 155 and 158 (79-79 and 82-78), with Red Deer’s Logan Hill placing 11th (78-84—162). Michael Lavorato of Calgary took top honours in the boys 14 and under division with a 144 total that included two rounds of 72. Max Sekulic of Rycroft was second (74-75—149) and Zander Park of Calgary placed third (80-73—153). Bria Jansen of Cochrane won the girls division with a 14-over total of 158 (76-82).
U12 Rage win three weekend games The Red Deer U12 squirt A girls Rage were 3-2 in Prairie Softball League action at Okotoks during the weekend. The Rage opened with an 11-4 win over the Calgary Kaizen ‘01, then fell 8-6 to the Wetaskiwin Wild and 11-3 to the Edmonton Warriors. The Red Deer squad then rebounded to post respective 12-6 and 7-0 victories over the Calgary Adrenaline and Calgary Kaizen ‘02.
Photo by GREG MEACHEM/Advocate staff
Pearce Just of the Red Deer Rampage fights off a check from a Rockyview Silvertips player while cutting to the net in Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League junior B tier 1 action Sunday at the Kinex. The Rampage led 2-1 after the first half en route to an 8-5 victory.
Rampage win weekend games The junior B tier 1 Red Deer TBS Rampage posted a pair of weekend victories to improve to 7-1-1 in the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League. The Rampage got five goals from Mitch Vellner in a 9-8 overtime win over the host Edmonton Warriors Saturday and downed the Rockyview Silvertips 8-5 Sunday at the Kinex. Vellner and Reid Swier each picked up three assists in Saturday’s victory, in which Brandyn Blain, Trey Christensen, Spencer Lee and Colton Woytas each scored once. Christensen also contributed a pair of helpers, while Darrian Banack was the winning
goalie. On Sunday, Swier sniped three goals and added two assists as the Rampage got past the visiting Silvertips. Also scoring for Red Deer, which had Chris Amell in net, were Mark Griffiths with two goals, Lee, Dawson Reykdal and Christensen, who added four assists. The TBS Rampage have two home games this weekend — against the Sherwood Park Titans at 1:30 p.m. Saturday and versus the Manitoba Gryphons 24 hours later. ● The junior B tier 2 Red Deer Renegades dropped their only weekend game — 12-7 to the host
Okotoks Ice Saturday. Meanwhile, the Lacoka Locos dropped a 12-11 decision to the Innisfail Yetti Friday and downed the Strathmore Venom 13-10 Sunday at Lacombe. ● The Red Deer Rage were 0-2 in senior women’s weekend action, losing 12-3 to the Calgary Jr. Axemen and 17-3 to the Calgary Axemen. Both games were at the Kinex. ● In men’s senior C action, the Blackfalds Silvertips rolled over the visiting Vermilion Rage 13-5 Sunday. The ‘Backs, who won by default Friday over the Spruce Grove Tomahawks, improved to 5-0-1.
DeMarco frontrunner for backup job in B.C. B.C. LIONS BY THE CANADIAN PRESS KAMLOOPS, B.C. — As backup quarterbacks go, he’s not an obvious choice. Thomas DeMarco completed only nine of 13 passes for the B.C. Lions in 2012, but other than starter Travis Lulay, he has more experience with the CFL club than any other signal-caller on the roster. Exactly one season. So DeMarco, a second-year pro, has the inside track on the Lions’ No. 2 quarterback position — for now. “I’ve got a headstart with that,” he said Sunday as training camp opened. “Anyone who’s been here for a little bit should be a little bit farther ahead.” DeMarco is listed as No. 2 on the depth chart, but he and coach Mike Benevides stopped short of saying the backup job is his to lose. “I would never say that,” said DeMarco. “But I would say that, as a competitor, when that spot is open, the first thing you’re thinking about is that ’I wanna be that guy.”’ He’s vying for the backup spot with Joey Elliott, who spent three seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers until he was released. Chris Hart, a product of Florida-based Webber International who signed in April, is also vying for a job behind Lulay. Benevides says DeMarco has as an edge on Elliott as the former Blue Bomber learns the B.C. offence. “Certainly, (DeMarco) has got the inside track,” said DeMarco. “There’s no doubt about it. But I am not going to commit to that — either way — for a long time. I need more information. I want go through the pre-season games.” The No. 2 spot became vacant when former backup Mike Reilly was traded to the Edmonton Eskimos in January. Reilly’s departure, inevitable after Lulay signed a lucrative new contract, makes the backup QB battle the most compelling storyline at training camp. “There’s no doubt that this game, this league is about the quarterback,” said Benevides. “You need strength at the backup position. Normally, they are called upon at some point in the season, and we have to find who that guy is. “There’s a lot of important decisions to make, but
WOMEN’S SOCCER The Red Deer Renegades opened the Alberta Women’s Major League season on a successful note with a big road win Sunday. The Renegades got a pair of goals each from Sydney Daines and Paula Dadensky to beat the Calgary Alliance 4-0. Goaltender Lauren Good got the shutout for Red Deer. The Renegades next game will be their home opener at Great Chief Park on Saturday when they face off against Lethbridge at noon.
the quarterback position is, certainly, the one that’s going to get the most attention, and is important to the quality of our depth.” Reilly excelled on the field in Lulay’s absence, but the former Lions backup was also a strong sideline presence. He bounced ideas off the No. 1 signalcaller and gave him feedback. A loose, talkative character who was quick with a jab, Reilly had a close relationship with Lulay, both professionally and personally. Lulay believes DeMarco can fill the role, with the No. 1 quarterback noting that his understudy has become more assertive as he approaches his second season. DeMarco agreed with the assessment, adding more of his personality will be displayed as the season unfolds. “The biggest thing is, last year I didn’t want to speak up or say things unless I knew (the offence),” he said. “I want to make sure I’m teaching the guys the right way. Otherwise, I was very quiet ... Now that I know, I’m a bolder person in general.” DeMarco wants to provide the same “supporting act” as Reilly did, while still being himself. “You definitely have to balance,” he said. “This is Travis’ team. As a quarterback, you’re used to having your team, coming from college. It’s a humbling experience to understand that guys have been doing this for a long time. “Firstly, I have to learn to be a backup. It’s not something that I’ve ever done, and it’s going to take a little bit of getting used to what’s helpful for Travis. I’m a different player from him.” Benevides says that Elliott, whose obvious appeal is his CFL experience, also has a loose personality, similar to Reilly, that can suit the team well. Stressing that all of the quarterbacks are simply learning from Lulay, Elliott adds he can provide a calm presence when called upon. Based on his brief time with the organization, Hart faces long odds to stick with the team. He joined the Lions in April following former NFLer Rudy Carpenter’s release. Benevides says Hart likely would not be at camp if Carpenter had stayed around longer. The Lions will go with three QBs on their active roster, but Benevides is still deciding whether he will keep one more on the practice roster. B.C. also has new quarterbacks coach Jarious Jackson, a former B.C. and Toronto backup who retired after helping the Argonauts win the Grey Cup last season.
TORONTO RAPTORS BY THE CANADIAN PRESS TORONTO — Ed Stefanski, the Toronto Raptors executive vice president in charge of basketball operations, was fired on Sunday. The longtime NBA executive confirmed that he had been relieved of his duties. “In my 18 months in Canada I came to love the city of Toronto, world-class city with terrific basketball fans,” Stefanski said in a text message to The Canadian
Press. “I wish the team only the best.” Stefanski’s departure follows a shakeup in the Raptors’ front office. Longtime general manager Bryan Colangelo was relieved of his GM duties on May 21, although he remains the team’s president. Colangelo was replaced by Masai Ujiri as Toronto’s GM on May 31. Another Raptors official confirmed that other members of the team’s front office had been fired on Sunday.