Voyageurs Open Strong

Bonnyville take big win over Vermilion 53-7

“We got a quick start to the game and pinned them deep in their end,” Head Coach for the Bonnyville Voyageurs, Larry Godzuik says the team came on the field looking for the win Friday night in Vermilion. Could’ve been a little revenge seeking for the Voyageurs, last time they met Vermilion is was the Marauders that took them out of the contention game in the 2015 playoffs. 2016 is going to be different for the Voyageurs who took the game 53-7.

“We lost to them, last year, at the end of the year, by four points. We were looking to go back to their field and not lose- and we didn’t.” Godzuik says it’s thanks the strong Bonnyville Amateur Football Association (BAFA) program for developing great core skills that the Voyageurs aren’t in a rebuilding stage this year.  “We had some great grade 9 kids coming up this year that help fill some key roles.”

“We had five different players score six touchdowns, which is not usual. Usually, a team has one or two players that score all their points. It was a contribution from everyone,” the coach was impressed with the depth the team showed on the field.

Along with many former Bantam players, the Voyageurs welcomed Dan Jubinville to the coaching staff. Jubinville coached the Bandits to a Provincial Championship last year and is a welcomed addition, says Godzuik. “I’ve known Dan for a long time. He does know the (former) Bantam players better and he’s been coaching for almost ten years now. He brings a wealth of experience; it’s nice to have him.”

“We talk about what winning is, with our players, and winning isn’t always what’s on the scoreboard. We’re here to develop kids and help them turn into young men and women with life skill beyond the football field.” With that being said, Godzuik says the team has set a performance goal for the season, “to finish top three in the standings and make a run for the league final.”

The next game for the Voyageurs will be at home, on Walsh Field, 5:00 pm against the Westlock Thunderbirds.