The Edmonton Elite Football Club is reflecting on the successes of its debut season.
After finishing the regular season with three wins and one loss, the Elite fought hard to make a name for themselves as the newest addition to the Alberta Football League. Finishing second overall, the team was rivalled only by the Central Alberta Buccaneers, who took home the championship title by completing the 2021 season undefeated.
The playoffs saw the Elite defeat the Cold Lake Fighter Jets 35-12 in the first round, the semi-final match.
Head coach and vice president of the Elite, Matthew Wilson, expected the black and gold to be in the championship game; however, it did not go as expected. An injury meant the Buccaneers took the lead on what started as a tight race.
"We made it a close game, but then just before half-time, our starting quarterback was sent to the hospital with a shoulder injury, so that kind of changed the tide and took some momentum away," said Wilson.
The Buccaneers beat the Elite 47-17 to take the championship title. As for the quarterback, he suffered a rotator cuff injury, AC joint injury and a cracked collarbone, according to Wilson, although he is doing much better now.
While Wilson never doubted his players' skill, something he didn't anticipate this season was how cohesive the new team became and how they came together almost right off the bat.
"We were able to bring a cohesive team together that's still in contact, still hanging out, still doing things the team does even with the season being over."
He also confirmed that the Elite is planning a return to Taurus Field next season. Anticipating a return to normal next year, the Alberta Football League would begin the regular season toward the end of May 2022.
"We love the support that we got from Fort Saskatchewan and from Taurus Field, and from the Fort Saskatchewan Minor Falcons Football team. That was amazing; we want to make that place our home forever if they let us."
"We love the support that we got from Fort Saskatchewan and from Taurus Field, and from the Fort Saskatchewan Minor Falcons Football team. That was amazing; we want to make that place our home forever if they let us."
Wilson hopes to continue growing the team in the area and welcomes anyone looking to get into football, whether they're just out of high school or looking for a more competitive game to try out for the Edmonton Elite.
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