It's a critical weekend for a couple of Fort Saskatchewan lacrosse teams.
Both the Junior Rebels and the Senior Rebels teams will be taking to the concrete for their final games of the regular season.
The Junior Rebels are in a dogfight for first place with the Edmonton Warriors as both teams hold a 14-4-0 record. The Rebels will have to have a perfect weekend if they hope to finish on top.
"We're currently tied but, unfortunately, we lost three of four games to the Edmonton Warriors," said Dave McGarva, the president of Rebels lacrosse. "We need help this weekend if we want to finish first.
Saturday's game at the JRC will be against the St. Albert Crude, a team that has developed a fierce rivalry with Fort Saskatchewan.
"It really doesn't matter what the standings say, I'd put a Crude/Rebels game up against any live sporting event in the Edmonton area," said McGarva. "It will be fun, physical, we really don't like each other much."
"[The Crude] will be coming in with chip on their shoulder because they are not likely to make playoffs this year. This is their championship against us."
Sunday's JRC feature will see the Jr. Rebels take on the Beaumont Outlaws in what could very well be a preview of the first round of the playoffs.
"They have a very young, very skilled team and we just played them last weekend beating them 14-6," said McGarva. "They are going to be coming out looking for some retribution as well."
It's been a season of unexpected heroes for the Jr. Rebels, as rookie goaltender Bowen Carpenter has stepped in to fill a void left by injured starting goalie Hunter Lukawesky.
"We drafted him this year knowing he was good, I don't think anyone on the staff would suggest we knew he was this good," said McGarva. "Bowen sure helped carry the mail while Hunter gets back into form."
There has also been plenty of veteran help on the club, which has been led by the exceptional performance of captain Ethan Pedersen, who is playing in his last season with the club.
"A Fort Saskatchewan kid, feels like he's been playing with us forever," said McGarva. "He's a very special player, our captain, and he's the straw that stirs the drink with those boys."
For local sports fans that haven't experienced Rebels lacrosse, the atmosphere is said to be electric.
"The fans get very involved, the players love playing in front of a full house," said McGarva.
This weekend will be somewhat an emotional one as well. The JRC is set to undergo major renovations, and these will be the last games in the arena until around 2025. The Rebels will be playing in Josephberg in the playoffs.
Part of the renovations will include demolishing the original Rebels locker room. McGarva is sending out an invitation to all Rebels alumni to come out and celebrate the arena's legacy.
"We have had some memorable games there."
Not to be forgotten is the Sr. Rebels as well who will be playing for their playoff lives on both days as well.
Saturday will kick off with the Senior team taking on the Edmonton Miners at 4 p.m. with the Juniors game against St. Albert getting going at 7 p.m.
Then, on Sunday, the Seniors are in a must-win against Beaumont at 2 p.m, and the Juniors get going at 5 p.m.