The undefeated Jasper Glaciers will enter the first round of the six-a-side football playoffs as the top team in the West division this weekend.
The team, just two years old, finished the regular season undefeated and will face off against the fifth ranked Brenton Cougars, Saturday, Nov. 9. That game will take place at Centennial Field at 1 p.m.
This is the second time the teams will meet. The Cougars travelled to Jasper for an exhibition match-up in September. In that game, the Cougar鈥檚 offense created difficulty for the Glaciers. But since that game, Jasper has added a few new players and the team has been playing hard and strong.
Aaron Parcels, the team鈥檚 offensive coordinator, said although the team鈥檚 been playing well, Saturday鈥檚 game will be a tough one for the Glaciers.
鈥淚t will be a key test for us. At that point, it鈥檚 up to the players. It鈥檚 not up to the coaches anymore.
鈥淎nd if we manage to win, it鈥檒l get tougher every week.鈥�
In 2012, the team鈥檚 first year in the league, Jasper won its first playoff game and lost its second against Drayton Valley.
But Parcels said this year鈥檚 team is much stronger than it was just one year ago.
鈥淟ast year we had a few key players and this year we have a team. Some of the rookies from last year stepped up this year and we have way more depth.
鈥淚t鈥檚 more of a team effort, which is better for the future.鈥�
If the Glaciers win against Breton on Saturday, the team will go on to the second playoff round, where they could meet Rimby鈥攖he only other undefeated team in the league.
The Glaciers formed in May 2012 and finished last season with about 10 players from both Ecole Desrochers and Jasper Junior/Senior High School. This year the roster holds 18 names.
Parcels attributes the growth to last year鈥檚 success.
鈥淎 lot of people got excited and saw that we can actually do well.
鈥淚f you do well, you can get kids,鈥� he said.
Parcels and Fred Kreiner, the team鈥檚 offensive coordinator, hope that just like the players have embraced the sport, the community will, too.
鈥淲e want to get the whole town out to support the team,鈥� said Parcels.
Nicole Veerman[email protected]
