Voyageurs Ride Into 9-Man Era with a 2–0 Start

If you’ve been around Bonnyville football long enough, you know two things: Ray Scott Park always smells like burgers before kickoff, and Larry Godziuk is still patrolling the sideline like he owns the joint. Thirty-one years of coaching — and the man still hasn’t lost his voice.

“This is my 31st year,” Godziuk said after the Voyageurs’ home win over Wetaskiwin. “We’re top heavy with seniors — 13 of them — and they’re all contributing. We’ve got strong grade elevens, solid grade tens. This could be a special team.”

Special is right. The Voys rolled to a 2–0 start — something Godziuk admits doesn’t happen often in Bonnyville. “How often do we get to stand here and talk about a 2–0 start? Not a whole lot, unfortunately,” he laughed, recalling the few hot starts in program history.

From 12 to 9 — and Loving It

Not everyone was sold when the program shifted from 12-man to 9-man football this season. But Godziuk says it was the right call for the athletes in town.
“A few people questioned our move… but this is the league and format that fits our athletes,” he explained. “Games like this show that.”

Names to Remember

If you missed the game, you missed Daniel Oman’s jersey staying as clean as a Sunday shirt. Four touchdowns. Over 100 rushing yards. And, apparently, not even a grass stain.
“Daniel’s a hard worker, good football IQ, loves the game. He’s in the gym a lot, does sprinting, he’s gotten faster,” Godziuk said. “I think he has a lot of potential… and I hope his aspirations to play past high school come true.”

Add in the depth from players like Liam Critch and the rest of the senior core, and suddenly this 9-man experiment looks like more than survival. It looks like momentum.

The Road Ahead

Of course, the schedule doesn’t ease up. “Next week will be a tough test against Millwoods Christian,” Godziuk said. “They won six-aside provincials last year, now moving up to nine. Wayne Wright and Ponoka are also strong, top-heavy senior teams.”

Translation: the party’s just getting started.

For now, though, the Voyageurs have planted their flag at 2–0. Walsh Field lit up under the Friday night lights, burgers sizzling, band parents yelling, and Coach Larry — still here, still grinning — reminding everyone that Bonnyville football’s heartbeat is alive and well.