Whenever the Jasper Glaciers six-a-side football team travels to Edson, it is a close hard-fought game. This year’s season opening tilt was no exception.
Edson marched down the field on their opening possession and managed to get the edge from the three yard line to score a major. Jasper came right back on their next drive and saw Grade 10 quarterback Jake Melanson dive into the end zone from the two yard line.
The second quarter saw teams exchange touchdowns. Jasper scored a defensive touchdown deep in Edson territory, when Martin Kreiner came up with a pick six. At halftime, the score was tied at 14.
Edson got off to a quick start in the second half scoring two majors. And although it looked like they might hold onto the lead, the Glaciers caught up when rookie running back David Broemeling followed a line of good blocking to scamper into the end zone from the 20 yard line, and Melanson passed to Kreiner for a 50 yard score to give the Glaciers a 28–27 lead in the fourth quarter.
Edson managed another score when the quarterback was forced to run, but again the Glaciers came back with another touchdown pass, this time from Melanson to Emerson Ostrander. Edson managed to score a rouge on a punt that put them ahead. The final score was 36–34 for Edson.
The Jasper defense that carried the team last year had an outstanding game defending against the pass. Defensive backs Donal Beauchamp, Reed Eady and rookie Brendan Auger provided coverage that frequently forced Edson to scramble rather than throw. Erik Paukstat stepped up in the fourth quarter at the defensive line and managed a quarterback sack. On the offensive side, Melanson completed several passes to Kreiner and Ostrander.
The Glaciers’ next game is in Hinton on Sept. 25. The home opener is on Oct. 3 versus the Sunchild Bisons.
Fred Kreiner
Special to the Fitzhugh
