The Glaciers had to wait three weeks for redemption after a heartbreaking two-point loss in Edson Sept. 18. At home, with a supportive local crowd, the Glaciers fought through some errors in the first half and scored six second-half touchdowns to ice the Rebels 65–26.
On the opening drive, a swarming Rebels defense stalled the Glacier offense at mid-field. Some sloppy tackling by the Glaciers allowed the Rebels to gain yards quickly as they drove to the end zone for the early lead.
Glaciers marched back down the field on the ensuing kick-off only to fumble the ball on the Edson two-yard line. With their next possession, Edson headed back down the field with a long pass and several running plays to stake out a two score lead.
The Glaciers went to their running game on their next drive. Two long runs by Jack Hilworth set up a 30-yard touchdown run by Martin Kreiner to put the Glaciers on the scoreboard at the end of the first quarter.
Early in the second quarter, the Rebels completed a pass and run play for 50 yards to regain their two point advantage. Not to be outdone, quarterback Jake Melanson fired down the field to Emerson Ostrander for a 40-yard gain.
Two runs by Grade 12 running back Dylan Mooney punched Glaciers to pay dirt in the see-saw first-half battle.
After an aggressive series on defense, the Glacier running attack struck again, with Hilworth getting to the end zone on a 14-yard run. The Jasper squad managed to recover a fumble on the kickoff giving them possession on the Edson 35-yard line. They wasted no time in a four-play drive, capped by an eight-yard Kreiner touchdown run to put the Glaciers ahead at the half: 26–20.
A strong defensive series halted the Rebels at the beginning of the second half, but the Glaciers also lost their starting defensive back Reed Eady to injury. The players rallied around their teammate and countered quickly with Kreiner running the ball 65 yards to pay dirt.
The next defensive series Kreiner picked off a Rebel pass. Both defensive teams made plays, but Hilworth broke free for a 50-yard run at the end of the quarter, followed by a 20-yard Ostrander reverse to the end zone, as the home team stretched its lead.
Ostrander recovered the following kickoff on the Edson 35-yard line. Kreiner, following some solid blocking by Sean Lanigan, romped in for the major. After the kickoff, linebacker Jake Delorme gave the ball back to the offense, recovering a Rebel fumble on the one-yard line.
Hilworth snuck into the end zone and the rout was on. After a defensive stand deep in Edson territory, Kreiner followed some great blocks for his fifth touchdown of the game. Edson scored on a 15-yard pass, but Hilworth scrambled for a 20-yard major on the ensuing possession to put the nail in the coffin.
The Grade 12 players—Kreiner, Mooney and Ostrander—led the team, scoring seven touchdowns, but according to Jocelyn Nadeau this was the most complete team victory the Glaciers have had at home in their brief three-year existence.
Strong defensive play by Delorme, Brendan Auger and Joe Merilovich shut down a potent Edson attack in the second half and provided numerous turnovers. The Glaciers offense racked up 696 yards as they spread the ball around and both Grade 10 quarterbacks, Melanson and Hilworth, stepped up to make plays.
The victory puts the Glaciers into first place in the West division of the Alberta Six-a-Side League and sees them advance to fourth spot in the provincial rankings.
Jasper will close out its regular season home schedule at 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 17th against the Hinton Wolfpak.
Fred Kreiner
Special to the Fitzhugh
