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Team	Win	Loss	Tie	PF	PA	Pnt
Archbishop Jordan	5	0	0	160	55	10
Bev Facey	4	2	0	157	46	8
Salisbury	3	2	0	141	81	6
St. Albert	2	3	0	115	88	4
Austin O'Brien	1	3	0	101	167	2
Bellerose	0	4	0	13	250	0

Metro League
Carr Conference Playoffs

Quarter Finals
Tuesday Oct. 22

Bellerose

vs.

Sabres

Sabres Won 42-0
Game Summary
 

Semi Finals
Friday, October 25

Bev Facey

vs.

Sabres

Facey Won 28-13
Game Summary
 

Championship
November 2

Jordan

vs.

Facey

Facey Won 22-20

Season Wrap-up

While the Sabres' have to watch the Metro League final from the sidelines again, there is a completely different feeling throughout the team than at the end of last season.  While there was a great deal of pressure to have a successful year in 2002, this pressure was self-induced with better than expected performances early in the season.   Going into the 2002 season, the Sabres knew they were young and lacked senior level experience on offense.  Everyone knew the offense had talent, but it was supposed to take some time to come together.  The progress the offensive players showed during the first few games may have brought hopes for the season to unrealistic heights.  During Sal's three losses this year, the Sabres offense played above themselves.  No one could have expected the offense to produced 2245 total yards in the regular season, which included over 700 yards passing.  This is the same offense that will only lose 2 starting players for next season.

The key for the future of the Sabres' offense is their O-line.   Sal's "Triplets", the three grade 10 offensive linemen have to be congratulated for their success this season.  The other two starting linemen were both in grade 11 and also played better than what can be expected for youthful starters.  The core of any offense is the front line, and to have them perform as well as they did, bodes well for the future of the offense.  Other keys for future development are the return of both the Sabres QB and their leading rusher.  Sal loses their talented tailback to graduation, but gains two from their junior program.  The Sabers also will lose one receiver next year but the core will remain with an influx of junior players that will lead to serious competition for starting roles.  Both of the starting quarterbacks from the 2001 Rams and Northstars bantam programs will find themselves pressing for game-time at the senior level.  This amount of offensive depth is unprecedented for the Sabres program.

Graduation will affect the defense more than the offense.  Approximately half of the defense will have holes to fill next year.  However, the linebacking crew will return to form the foundation for 2003 defense.  It is also expected that many of the defensive backs that are returning will make it tough to pass against the Sabres next season.

A solid staff of coaches at the junior level has produced players that are more than able to fill the gaps left by those graduating or push those that are returning to the senior team next season.  While the large influx of junior players to the senior level may drain a talented junior program, it opens the doors for graduating bantam players to find success in the rebuilt junior Sabres program.

While 2002 turned out to be the rebuilding year it was predicted to be, no one associated with the program will deny they are disappointed they did not accomplish more after such a great start this past season.  At the end of last season, the Sabres looked forward to the return of Sabre Pride and to fielding a competitive team.  The goals set for 2002 were exceeded and the Sabres now look forward the return to the standard as set by the tradition of the program.

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Junior

2002 Metro League
Schedule

 

Ex-Played Sept.17 Jordan  vs.  Sabres Jordan won 34-0	Wednesday, Sept. 25 Bev Facey  vs.  Sabres Sabres won 47-6
Tuesday, Oct. 1 St. Albert  vs.  Sabres Sabres won 35-21	Played Tuesday, Oct. 8 Jordan  vs.  Sabres Jordan won 27-0
Tuesday,  Oct. 15 AOB  vs.  Sabres AOB won 14-13	Monday, Oct. 21 Bye    Sabres

 

 

Final League Standings

Team	Win	Loss	Tie	PF	PA	Pnt
Archbishop Jordan	4	0	0	138	0	8
Salisbury	2	2	0	95	68	4
St. Albert	2	2	0	59	69	4
Austin O'Brien	2	2	0	56	86	4
Bev Facey	0	4	0	32	158	0

Metro League Playoffs

Semi Finals
November 1

St. Albert

vs.

Sabres

St. Albert Won 20-14

Championship
November 7 - Location TBA

        What turned out to be a season where the Junior Sabres football program
        took great strides to regaining credibility came to a close Friday night
        at Coronation Park.

        The Sabres played with heart and put forth a gutsy, emotional performance
        which gained the respect of their opposition. In the end, the Sabres bowed
        to the St. Albert Skyhawks 20 - 14 in a game where the final outcome was
        not determined until only seconds remained in the game.

        Salisbury took advantage of a couple of early St. Albert fumbles to score
        a converted touchdown following a series of dives and options executed by
        the offence. St. Albert came back to tie the game before the half using
        their big running back to power the ball.

        In the third quarter, for their second touchdown, Salisbury completed a
        pass-run play which caught the Skyhawks secondary off-guard. Score 14-7
        Sabres. Again St. Albert scored a touchdown, but being unsuccessful on the
        point-after attempt, had to settle for a 14 - 13 score.

        The game then settled into a defensive battle, where both teams seemed to
        struggle moving the ball until the final minutes when St. Albert appeared
        to gain a second offensive life. This resulted in them scoring a third
        touchdown and converting it for a 20 - 14 lead. Salisbury got the ball
        back with about 50 seconds on the clock, but were unsuccessful at getting
        the ball into the endzone. Final score 20 - 14 for St. Albert.

        The players on the Junior Sabres are to be commended for their valiant
        efforts put forth this year. You did yourselves, your team and your school
        proud.

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