It was an exciting evening last night for the PCI Trojans football team as they defeated Kenora's Beaver Brae Broncos 34 - 16. This is the first time in almost two years the Trojans have won a game, and Head Coach Brendon Brydges was overcome with emotions about the big win. He explains how difficult how the past few season have been.
"You know what, last year was a struggle. I was optimistic about this year, but the kids really showed up. We had 30-plus kids at camp over the last two weeks and it really shows. This time last year we had 15 kids on the team."
He expressed how big this win was for the grade 12 students on the team.
"It's huge, It's been a year and a half since they have had a win, so it's really good. They're really excited."
Kade Friesen who plays running back is one of those grade 12 students. He explains how proud he is of his teammates and what it means to him.
"It's amazing. It's been about two years since a win for us who are in Grade 12. We haven't had this feeling since our Grade 9 year."
Friesen's hope for this year's team is that his teammates put everything out there for the ones who are in their last season this will be and that they don't give up.
Destiny Dearlove, a Grade 9 student who joined the team this season and plays defensive back, talks about the dynamic and what its like playing with the guys on the team.
" I think it's really good to play with the guys. I feel like girls teams are really good, but when you get the contact with the guys, it's just different. You make a lot of new friends and it's easier to get into high school when you start playing on a boys team because you know a lot more people."
She says she wishes more girls would try out for the team. This year Coach Brydges saw more girls try out for the team then he has seen in the past.
"I'm a big believer that football is for everyone. So it's been my goal, the last little bit trying to get some girls on the team. We have three fantastic girls on the team this year and they all showed up today."
The PCI Trojans will travel to Winnipeg to face the St. John's Tigers on September 13, with their next home game on September 26.