The Buck Mountain Mustangs paid their first visit to Centennial Field on Saturday, hoping to move on in the provincial six-a-side football tournament. Fortunately for both teams, the snow held off until after the game.
The Jasper Glaciers were ready for their central division visitors and stepped up with a solid all-round game that ended with a 52–14 victory.
The Glaciers got off to a slow start, spotting the Mustangs an early touchdown. Then Jack Hilworth got the team rolling with great running on the option. He found open field twice and the Glaciers took the lead, never to look back.
Jake Melanson spotted Emerson Ostrander behind the Buck Mountain defense for a long touchdown pass and run play. On the next series Melanson ran the QB sneak from the one-yard line and it was 28–8 at the half for the home team.
The Glacier defense was particularly effective in the second half.
Linebackers Jake Delorme, Martin Kreiner and Dylan Mooney slowed the strong Buck Mountain running game. Good penetration from Hayden Clark and Joe Merilivoch, combined with pass coverage by Donal Beauchamp, shut down the Mustangs passing attack as well.
On offense, the Glaciers kept things rolling with a David Broemeling touchdown run. After running numerous option plays to the right side, the Glaciers reversed to Kreiner who romped down the left sideline for a 45-yard score.
On the last play of the third quarter, Ostrander caught a long pass but stepped out of bounds deep in Mustang territory. Mooney rounded out the Glaciers’ scoring as he took the ball to the end zone early in the fourth quarter.
The Glaciers now hit the road as they take on the undefeated Rimbey Spartans in the provincial semifinal.
The game will be played on artificial turf in Lacombe at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15.
Fred Kreiner
Special to the Fitzhugh
