Regular season play for the Gordon Sturtridge Football League is winding down, and Squamish teams are gearing up for playoffs.
The flag football Squamish Blue Bullets, in second place in their division with six wins and two losses (12 points), are no exception. Their last game is against the Packers, the top team in the division, with seven wins, and one loss (14 points). The rivals face off on Sunday (Nov. 4) at Brennan Park at 9 a.m.
"It all depends on how we come out of this game," said Suzanne Wright, whose husband coaches the team.
The semifinals are Nov. 21 at Norgate Park. The first and fourth place teams face off, and the second- and third-place teams will struggle to move to the championship round on Nov. 28 at Confederation Park.
"They're so excited," Wright said. "They'd love to be able to win.
"It's only the team that wins the whole league that gets the trophy."
No matter what happens, the team dynamic will change next year. Many of the players will be too old to play, and will be able to move to PeeWee.
"We're going to be starting all over again," Wright said.
The Minor Titans, who were in second place in their division, have been bumped to third. But they are still could do well at the playoffs.
The Minor Titans' last season game is Sunday (Nov. 14) at Brennan Park at 12 p.m. against the number one team, the undefeated (7-0) Huskies. The Titans have four wins and three losses.
"It will be a good test for us," said Eric Frappier, one of the coaches.
Up next for the Titans are the semifinals on Nov. 21 at Norgate Park at 12 p.m.
"We're playing the Eagles in the playoffs," Frappier said. "I know we can beat them. If we can minimize the turnovers, we definitely have a good chance of winning."
Frappier said the team has a good chance at making it to the championship round at Confederation Park on Nov. 28.
"I know we have a chance."
The Minor Titans last game was against the Eagles on Oct. 31, with the Eagles winning 34-19.
"We lost our last game, but it was very close," Frappier said. "We could have won if it wasn't for all those turnovers."
The game was supposed to be played at Brennan Park, but the fields were closed, and the game was moved to Norgate Park. Three of the players couldn't make it, and the team was short players on the offensive line.
The Bantam Titans are tied for second place in their three-team division. They have one win and four losses.
"They've all been really close games," said Rob Ryan, the head coach.
The last game was Oct. 31 against the Raiders at Brennan Park. The Raiders, who haven't lost to anyone all season, won 37-20.
"We had a little trouble with the outside game," explained Ryan.
The game stared well. Joel Prevost passed the ball to Derrick Zelenski for a 60-yard touchdown, Ryan said.
"Enrique Siemens and Danny Reoch both did very well carrying the ball."
The Bantams play the Redskins in the semifinals on Nov. 21 at Norgate Park, and the winner will face the Raiders the following week at Confederation Park.
The Titans have been working on improving their offensive line. Last Thursday, Scott Hendrickson, a former Saskatchewan Roughrider and B.C. Lion, worked with the offensive line.
"They really seemed to benefit from that," Ryan said. "I think the kids are starting to come together."
