The Jasper Glaciers were victorious again, in no small part due to a very tight defense that not only stopped Edson’s Holy Redeemer Rebels twice inside the 10 yard line, but created four turnovers and scored a defensive touchdown.
The first quarter has been good to the Jasper offense and last Friday was no exception as they scored on their opening drive. After running plays brought the Glaciers to the Rebel 16-yard line, Dylan Mooney made a spectacular catch in the end-zone for the first major of the game.
On the first play of the second quarter, Brad Anselmo followed some quality blocks through a big hole, ran 60 yards virtually untouched and put the home team ahead by two scores.
Still in the second frame, Edson came back to pull within one major, but Anselmo quickly restored the two- touchdown lead as he reversed to scamper in from the 15-yard line. On the ensuing Edson possession, Martin Kreiner stripped the ball from the Edson running back, fought off some would-be tacklers and ran 80 yards to finish the half with the Glaciers up by a score of 29–8.
Early in the third frame, the Edson quarterback was forced to scramble and broke it open for a 60-yard touchdown run. Momentum seemed to shift as the Glaciers were forced to punt on their next possession. However, Reed Eady recovered a Rebel fumble for the Glaciers and, on the very next play, Anselmo took the ball 87 yards to paydirt.
The Jasper running attack continued in the fourth quarter as Mooney and Jack Hilworth ran the ball well, capped by a 10-yard touchdown run for Hilworth. Emerson Ostrander also ran into the end zone to bring the final score to 49–14 in favour of the home team.
The strong defensive play for the Glaciers was a team effort, as all players stepped up to make plays at different times. In his first game Mason Livermore’s speed pressured the quarterback and helped to track down the outside running game of the Rebels. Leading tackler Kreiner had a strong game at linebacker and Eady, Bryn Malcolm, Jasper Gaebel and Hilworth all came up with big plays for the Glacier defense when they were needed.
The 4–0 Glaciers are now the second ranked team in the province. The team also has the stingiest defense amongst ranked teams, allowing only 59 points against in four games.
They will head to Sunchild reserve for a road game on Oct. 18 and close out the regular season at home on Oct. 25 against the Hinton Wolfpak.
Fred Kreiner
Special to the 51°µÍø
