Bonnyville Voyageurs Kick Off New Era with 9-Man Football

Bonnyville football fans are seeing something a little different this year — fewer helmets on the field, but no shortage of grit. The Bonnyville Voyageurs have officially made the switch to 9-man football, and Coach Kevin Sartain says the team’s embracing it.

“It’s our first year in nine-man. We’re about a 28-man squad and, uh, we’re pretty excited for the season,” said Sartain. He wasn’t about to give away too many secrets though, tossing a wink to local fans:
“I’m not gonna give too much away about the team. You have to come out and see for yourselves.”

If the opener was any indication, the Voyageurs aren’t messing around. They rolled over Drayton Valley 36-0 before hitting their bye week. Now, all eyes are on their first home game this Friday, September 19 against Wetaskiwin at Walsh Field, Ray Scott Park.

Position-wise, Sartain says the Voy’s are sitting pretty.

“We’re strong across the board — receiving core, our running back group, offensive line, all the way through to our defense. This is gonna be a very good season for us.”

His message to Bonnyville fans was simple:

“I really appreciate if everybody came out and watched, ’cause it’s, it’s gonna be a good season.”

And what’s the real difference between the old 12-man game and this new 9-man setup? Sartain doesn’t see it as a big leap.

“Honestly, I haven’t seen a whole lot of difference. There’s two less guys on the offensive line … and you have one less in the backfield. And in reality, on the smaller field, it’s almost the same game.”

For the Bonnyville Minor Football Association, the move means keeping local kids on the gridiron even as roster sizes shift. It’s a change that lets the game fit the town — instead of the other way around.

Now the only question is whether the Voyageurs can keep steamrolling through their new league the way they started. First home-game night will tell the tale.