Hunting Hills Lightning Football team brings home Bantam provincial medal

The Hunting Hills Lightning Bantam Football team recently clinched the provincial Tier II championship after a season fueled by heart, energy, and passion. The Lightning defeated the Brooks Roadrunners 27-7 in a decisive victory during the Provincial Finals in Medicine Hat on November 9.

“It’s two talented teams playing against one another in the league final, but the biggest separator is who is going to work harder?” said Josh Sorensen, Teacher at Hunting Hills and Bantam Team Coach. “We definitely worked harder in that game.”

Facing a physically imposing opponent, the Lightning stayed composed under pressure.

“The Roadrunners were a big team. They were tall, big, strong and physical,” said Josh. “There were some nerves on our side, but as coaches, we focused on instilling confidence in the team. We took some calculated risks early on, and those moves paid off.”

The team’s success stemmed not only from skill, but also from a strong sense of camaraderie and a commitment to culture-being amongst the players. “We were fortunate to have talented Grade 9 students and players stepping up from Red Deer Minor Football,” said Josh. “While we were a bit raw to start the season, the desire and will to do well were evident.”

Throughout the season, the Lightning emphasized team bonding and values.

“We held meals together, took part in activities that reinforced our core principles, and built trust amongst the players,” said Josh. “As the season progressed, you could see them believing in themselves and coming together as a team.”

Heading into the championship weekend, the players maintained their composure. “We talked about staying cool, calm and collected, and keeping emotions in check,” said Josh. “The key was to stay confident and believe in ourselves.”

The victory was the culmination of months of hard work and dedication. “I am so proud of these players,” said Josh. “There were moments during the season when they could have given up, but every time they rose to the challenges we set. Our leaders stepped up when it mattered most, and brought the team together.”

Darwin Roscoe, Principal at Hunting Hills High School, said he couldn’t be more proud of the team for their achievement.

"This is a testament to their athletic skills and each player's hard work and dedication throughout the season,” he said. “I want to highlight our coach's invaluable role in this journey - he teaches the fundamentals of the game and, just as importantly, instills the importance of character, teamwork, and citizenship. These young athletes are not just champions on the field; they are becoming outstanding contributing citizens off the field, embodying the Power of H values that we cherish in our school."