The U14 Estevan Oilers capped off a remarkable season by clinching third place in the league, celebrating their achievements with a thrilling 13-6 victory over the Moose Jaw Vikings in their final game. The team's strong performance throughout the season, marked by only two losses, highlights their resilience and growth, making this year one to remember for players and fans alike.
“I think, a really special thing for these players getting to play in front of that home crowd on their home field, especially for those players who are graduating up to the next level this year, I think it was a really special thing for them to be able to come out there and win a game here at home,” said Oilers Head Coach Christian Pfiefer.
Last week, the team faced a roster riddled with injuries, adding extra pressure to players who had to adapt to new roles for the championship games.
“I think a lot of the players really settled into the roles that they were thrust upon when they needed to change rules or change positions. We had a lot of players that were doing new things this week, and they settled in, especially with that extra week of practice. They took on that role and they ran with it, and they did their absolute best, and we came away with a really big team win.”
“Some of the highlights from this game were we had Kiren Kyle with two interceptions. That was huge for him. Ben Guertin finally got his interception that he's been looking for all season. It was really good to see him get that, and a huge shout-out to Taya Stigings, who played a turnover-free game, which was the most that we could have asked from her. She's had a fantastic season so far. All in all, it was a really good team win, and I think everybody out on that field played a really good, complete game of football.”
Pfeifer noted that one of the most significant moments of the season was also one of the toughest challenges the team faced.
“Welcoming the undefeated, at the time, Raiders here to Estevan and stealing a win from them. I mean, I don’t know if anybody expected us to come away with that win, but we took the field and we played one heck of a game against a really, really strong team who were the eventual champions of the league. That was a very tough matchup, and we came away with a huge win.”
Amid a season filled with notable moments and big plays, the team faced one of their biggest challenges heading into the championships when they lost their starting quarterback, Ryder Mantei.
“That really hurt to see, considering he was having such a great season throughout the year, but I feel like we bounced back pretty well and we had a fairly good playoff season.”
He remarked that the entire season was exceptional, particularly in witnessing the team's growth as players and as individuals.
“They were able to mature a lot throughout the year, and it’s been a real pleasure to be part of their journey. I hope that this season is something they can look back on and reflect on with fond memories.”
“This has been a historic season for us. I mean, we've never at this age level seen this kind of success, and it’s been fantastic to see these kids work their butts off the entire season. It was great to see that they got rewarded with the success that we had.”
Pfiefer stated that while it’s gratifying as a coach, the team deserves all the credit.
“They went out there week after week, and I asked them to go to war for me, and they did just that every single time. Whether there were injuries or a bad week of practice, it didn’t seem to matter. They just went out there and played the same Oiler football they always knew how to.”
Pfiefer extended his congratulations to TJ Thompson for winning the Offensive Player of the Year award in the league. “He had a fantastic season; he was a fantastic player to coach, and he’s just a very smart football player. The high school is getting a real special player coming up to them next year.”
He added that the season wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the other coaches who contributed to the team's success. “They made it real easy for us to have a successful season, and I couldn't ask for a better staff.”
Pfiefer acknowledged the Estevan Minor Football volunteers and parents, who are also an integral part of a successful season. “Thank you for lending me your kids and trusting me with their safety and development. Especially to all the kids who played for me this year, it was the best season I have ever had as a coach, and I’ve been doing this for 10 years. So, thank you guys for an amazing season; it’s been a real pleasure.”