1998 Review

Senior
Junior
 
 
 

Senior

1998 Edmonton City  and
Northern Alberta Provincial Champions

Carr Conference Play

True Sabre Pride
          -Dustin Whitney - Sabre RB/LB 1997-1999

High School Football in the Edmonton Carr Conference is taken very seriously. The prospect of our 1998 season was no different; it was full of great teams and tough competition. The Salisbury Sabres were right in the thick of things as we came into the playoffs with a five win and one loss record. In the semi-final game we narrowly passed Leduc with an emotional, come from behind win. Who would have thought we would now make it to the city final after such a disastrous season the year before? Not only that but, we would face the only team which had beaten us all year long. We were underdogs coming into the game we had all dreamed about playing. What an opportunity. My feelings before, during, and after the game made this experience very memorable, one that I would never forget.

 A flawless week of practice before the big game made us all somewhat confident, although nervousness was becoming apparent among the boys.  Dropped balls or missed tackles in practice were voiced by shouts of disapproval;  this was not a positive way to prepare for our opponents. "I’m sure the Austin O’Brien Crusaders aren’t feeling the nerves", head coach Cam Fraser said in reassurance. He was always able to make a positive out of a negative.  All the clichés had been said, ones such as, "it’s do or die time", "step up like men", and "enough talking, just play". We knew how to win as a team, all we had to do was just go out and execute. For me, playing in such a big game was awe inspiring and intimidating. Never before had I had such an shot at greatness. When we stood on the fifty-yard line listening to the national anthem with helmets in hand, eyes fixated on the swirling flag, my eyes welled up with pride. It was sure a magnificent feeling, and to complete the setting for a true Canadian football experience, a bitter cold wind blustered from the east as the sun slowly sank over the horizon, the perfect weather for an upset.

 As kickoff grew nearer, adrenaline started to pump through our systems, unmistakably in anticipation.  Finally, after a brief, motivational pep talk from the coaches we lined up for the kick. The world moved in slow motion as we awaited the referees’ signal. I examined the picturesque scene, noting the roar of the capacity crowd, the steam wafting from my opponents’ facemasks, and the rush of emotions creating an electric feeling in the air. It was time to do battle with the enemy; an enemy which had once conquered us. This time however, was different; the Salisbury Sabers were fired up and bent on revenge. Right from the first play, we took it to them with no mercy; we were ready for all their tricks. As well, this time we had a trick of our own, the powerful leg of our new kicker, brought up from the junior squad. He hit field goals from thirty and forty yards out to bring us to an early lead and from then on in we never looked back.

The portrait of a football team going out and playing to their full potential is beautiful. Twenty-four men giving it everything they got and succeeding despite being underdogs and despite the newspaper critics.

When the clock finally ticked off the last second an eruption of joy filled the stadium. Our fans rushed the field as we raised the Ed Carr trophy in celebration of our rebirth as city champions. Emotions ran high and teammates openly wept tears of euphoria. I was in shock, never before being overloaded with such sentiments of triumph and never being so proud to be a part of a team. All the blood, sweat, and tears of the whole season had paid off. We all huddled around the trophy for the team picture, which was soon featured on the front page of the Sherwood Park News, holding on to the moment as long as possible. A lasting memory was formed on that day which none of us would ever forget. To make our victory known to the school we all shaved our heads, this was also in keeping true to a bet we had made the week prior in practice.

Although our season was not yet over, we all felt satisfaction. Now city champs for the forth time in the nineties the Salisbury Sabres were on top and on their way to provincials with renewed confidence. All the parties, as well as the silver rings remain as cherished mementoes for the, "Cinderella", story football team. Definitely an unforgettable experience which one could look back upon with great pride and dignity. High football is a real test of character and whether we had won or lost that game we still would have known to our selves that played our hearts out on that day.

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