On Saturday afternoon the Central Alberta Buccaneers went to the Calgary McMahon Stadium for their final game against the Wolfpack.

The score was close throughout the game, but the Buccaneers had the upper hand for the first half of the game ending it with a score of 10-7; however, the first half of the game was not without its faults according to Coach Gary LaGrange.

“We had some early struggles to finish in the first and the second quarter. We didn’t finish our drives. That field goal that we did we should have had but our kicker hyperextended his knee and we don’t have another one.”

LaGrange believes that injuries and penalties taken by the defensive line took a toll on the outcome of the game.

By the third quarter, the Wolfpack gained a second wind and came back for vengeance. With a minute left, the Buccs got ahead once again but soon after received penalties that were detrimental on the scoreboard.

“Our boys fought it out the whole game through. I think there were some unfortunate penalties that cost us big late in the fourth. If we could have those back, I think we’d have a totally different outcome for tonight,” said Vince Roth, Offensive Liner for the Buccaneers.

From there, both teams fought hard in a neck and neck fight for victory until the very last second. With 16 seconds left in the game, wide receiver, Ben Hnatiuk took what was believed to be a neck injury that brought the game to a standstill while players and fans waited for an ambulance to arrive and safely look after Hnatiuk.

“They had movement on his left side. It was his right side that had very minimal movement in his right hand. He could barely move it, and he didn’t have a whole lot of feeling there. He’s not in a whole lot of discomfort. I think they’re being careful,” said LaGrange about the injury.

Although the Buccaneers wanted to score big with their remaining 16 seconds there was simply not enough time and movement on the ball. The Wolfpack came out on top ending the game with a score of 30-26.

Despite the loss, LaGrange wasn’t disappointed in the team.

“I am pretty happy with the way the guys played. We scored when we needed to march the ball. They didn’t have an answer for our buffalo set and they can hang their heads up high. I think it could have gone either way.”

Although the loss is not easy for the Buccaneers, Vince Roth doesn’t believe that this is the end for the team.

“We’ve got a really good core group of guys. There’s a lot of guys here that will be back…The Buccs aren’t a soft team and we won’t roll over and die at the end of a season.”

Coach Gary LaGrange remains just as dedicated as the players and hungry for a win in the coming season.

“They’re not going anywhere they’re just going to get better,” said LaGrange.

After a hard battle won, the Calgary Wolfpack win the Jeff Holton Memorial Trophy and will soon make their way to Ontario for nationals.