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1997
PARK RAMS OPEN IMPROVED PRACTICE FACILITY
The Sherwood Park Rams officially opened their remodeled outdoor training facility and have made history in Strathcona County.
In the pouring rain Sept 1, the Rams' organization turned the field lights on and turned the Kinsmen Field into the first outdoor list football field in the country. It is located off Broadmoor Boulevard, just north of the traffic circle.
"As the fall days get longer and longer, it becomes more and more difficult for a team to get a good practice in," said Rams head coach Jim Skitsko. "This will allow us to get more practice in," he said.
About 150 people showed up for the unveiling ceremony, including alumni Rams players, coaches, management, fans and special guests. The outdoor part of the ceremony was short lived, more or less just long enough to flick the lights on, before everyone ducked inside to get out of the rain.
Special guests included Mayor Vern Hartwell, Vic Bidzinski and MLA, Iris Evans. Past-president Milt Ness said a few words about the Rams' organization.
Skitsko said kids play football for the fun of it and being able to practice in lit conditions will make it more fun for the kids.
"It was a nice feeling to see those lights go on and know that your organization was key to getting them there," said Skitsko. "We're very proud. It's a big thing."
The Rams use Kinsmen Field to practice on as all of their home games are played at Strathcona Athletic Park.
Along with the addition of lights, the Rams also added about 800 square feet to their clubhouse.
SHERWOOD PARK BANTAM CHAMPS
CARDSTON – Size, depth and execution produce a lethal gridiron formula. The Sherwood Park Rams displayed all three ingredients Saturday afternoon en route to an Alberta Bantam Football Championship.
Rams downed the home town Cougars 32-10 under glorious sunshine at Lions Park. The Capital City League champs finished off the 1997 campaign with a 12-1 mark. Cougard, who captured the Southern Alberta Minor Football Association crown, were 11-1.
After a scoreless first quarter, Rams found playdirt early in the second stanza when standout running back Luke Lavarto raced 30 yards, Robert Bodnar booted the conversion, making it 7-0. On the Rams next possession Lavarto sped 62 yards for a quick six. Bodnar conversion made it 14-0.
Cougars clawed back with 1:19 left in the half when quarterback Nicholi Pitcher combined with running back Todd Wilson on an exciting 55-yard pitch and catch. Pitcher then hooked up with receiver Devon Nelson for an aerial two-pointer, reducing the Ram lead to 14-8.
However, Lavarto subsequently put a stake in the Cougars' heart when he rumbled over from five yards with 24.1 ticks on the clock. Bodnar added a two-point conversion and Rams led 22-8 at the break.
The visitors controlled the second stanza. Patrick Smith scored on a two-yard quarterback sneak. Bodnar converted with his conventional straight on kicking style, then kicked a 21-yard field goal. The Rams final markers came when Cardston conceded a safety.
Sherwood Park was an awesome force. Incredibly, the Grade 7-9 (under 15-years-of-age) crew featured a number of players weighing in excess of 200 pounds, including 235-pound refrigerator-like running back/kicker, Bodnar.
Depth was a factor too. The Rams played two totally different offensive and defensive platoons, plus made strategic substitutions throughout the game. By contrast, a majority of the Cougar starters went both ways.
Rams were big and deep, but they also played with precision, using sledgehammer blocking schemes to full effect.
“I just want to say that the strength of any team is always its line play,” said Sherwood Park head coach Jim Skitsko. “Our O and D lines were doing it all year. That's where it begins and that's where it ends.”
Rams churned out 392 total yards. Lavarato (son of former Edmonton Eskimo Pete Lavarato) had 165 yards on 16 carries, while halfback Kyle Schmaus picked up 108 ground yards on 15 attempts. Robert Mueller and Tim McFadyen led the Ram tacklers recording seven apiece. Darcy Bennett chipped in six.
Cougars generated 246 yards of offense. Tyler Boyson ripped off 92 yards on 17 carries and Wilson had 89 yards on the ground on 11 tries in addition to his 55-yard TD reception. Wilson and Bob Jensen had 11 tackles each and Boyson brought down 10 Rams.
“I'm very proud of my boys,” said Cougar head coach Dave Prete. “We had an awesome bunch of kids, but they just couldn't handle the size. We were beat by a better team that was well coached. Sherwood Park is a classy operation.”
EXTRA POINTS: Lions Park field, situated in a natural ampitheater, provided an idyllic football setting. Snow had been totally removed and the playing surface was in perfect late season condition. Rams are one of only four Bantam teams in the Edmonton area.
The Sherwood Park crew looked like a younger version of the Edmonton Eskimos, dressed in beautiful knockoff green, gold and white uniforms. Former Edmonton Eskimo great Dan Boss serves as an assistant coach with the Sherwood Park squad… The Capital City League have won the last three Bantam titles. Leduc triumphed in 1995 and the Edmonton Chargers took the trophy last year. Raymond Comets won the first two titles ever contested in 1993 and 1994.
RAMS CROWNED PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONS
he Sherwood Park Rams are now in the history books as the best bantam football club in Alberta for the 1997 season. And they couldn't have done a better job doing it.
"We were just delighted" said Head Coach Jim Skitsko. "It was a great team victory."
Not only did they defeat the formerly undefeated Cardston Cougars 32-10, they did it with class. "What really made us proud were the kind words Cardston's head coach Dave Prete had to say about us. He said it was an honor to play us. Among other words used to describe the Rams play were desire, class and good sportsmanship."
"Our Rams really strived to conduct themselves as good sportsmen and they did," Skitsko said. "We're really proud of them."
They also put on a good field performance as the Rams posted approximately 360 yards rushing- 160 coming from Luke Lavorato and another 125 from Kyle Schmaus.
"Our offensive line was really working hard to create the lanes we needed to move the running backs," Skitsko said. He was quick to add "Our defense was awesome."
Skitsko pointed out that outside linebackers Rob Mueller and Mike McPherson were a big part of the win."Cardston is a team that attacks the outside. They closed them down" he said proudly of his two players.
The first quater of the game was a close one as the score remained 0-0 until late in the quarter when Lavorato scored on a touchdown run to post the first points on the scoreboard. He earned another touchdown a few minutes into the second quarter on a 53 yard run before the Cardston Cougars scored a touchdown and a two point conversion.
With 1:18 left in the first half, the Rams got the ball back and went to work scoring by the end of the half and going ahead 21-8. In the fourth quater, Patrick Smith scored the Rams fourth touchdown of the day and after giving up a safety touch, the Rams were in the end zone shortly thereafter again as Lavorato scored his third touchdown of the game.
"We just controlled them that day" adding that the field conditions, weather and hospitality could not have been better. "We feel very lucky to be champions" said Skitsko. "This is the bantam Grey Cup," he said. "Provincial championships just don't come around every day!"
SHERWOOD PARK RAMS
How good are the Sherwood Park Rams? Well if who they defeated on the way to Football Alberta's provincial bantam championsip is any indication, then the Rams can't be described as anything but the best.
During the quest for the Capital Distrcit title, the Rams beat the previously undefeated Leduc Tigers then the always tough Edmonton Chargers. In provincial semi-final action, the Rams spoiled the perfect season the Calgary Couboys had planned.
And in the Championship, a third unbeaten team fell victim to the Rams stampede.
Luke Lavorato scored three touchdowns Saturday afternoon as the Rams bombed the Cardston Cougars 32-10 to earn the club's first Alberta Championship. It was a sweet end to the Rams' season which had promised to be one of the franchise's best from day one of training camp.
"We didn't make too many mistakes. We beat four very good teams to get to the title" said Rams head coach Jim Skitsko.
"I think the whole team was ready and focused each week- the coaches prepared them very well. But mostly it all falls back to the players. They played with the courage and determination that would make any coach proud, win or lose."
Throughout the playoffs, the Rams were blessed with an unstoppable ground attack led by Lavorato, who put the Park ahead 21-8 at half time breaking past the Cardston defence for a 53 yard score as the Rams racked up over 300 yards on the ground for the third straight week.
And on the odd occasion when Lavorato was keyed upon, backfield mate Kyle Schmaus was ready to assume the duty of creating some offensice firepoer. Quarterback Patrick Smith, another of the Rams' key components on offence, scored the other major against the Cougars on a three yard sneak.
While the offence stepped into the limelight, the defence quietly did its job allowing only 33 points over 5 playoff games.
"The defensive and offensive lines were extremely polished and consistent. In the final, we took advantage of all the exchanges and came away with good field position" said Skitsko who also received exceptional contributions from linebackers Darcy Bennett, Tim McFadyen and Adam Skitsko. Bennett played through injuries but all linebackers were praised by the coach..
"The defence bent but it didn't break. The kids were really focused."
Skitsko, who committed himself to another season at the helm for 1998, expected the next edition of the team would be among the top contenders in Capital District again.
JUNIOR COUGARS DROP TITLE MATCH
Sherwood Park Rams proved they were the best bantam team in the province Saturday, outlasting Cardston's Junior Cougars 32-10 to capture the bantam championship.
"If I had to play that team 10 times with the guys we had, they would probably beat us eight times," said Cougar head coach David Prete.
That's not to say he thinks little of his team, which went undefeated through regular season and playoff play.
"We scouted them pretty heavily so we knew what we were up against," Prete said.
"We knew they would be a big, strong team.
But Prete said his team didn't give up -something that often happens at this level of play.
"Playing with 12, 13 and 14-year-olds —often times they'll cave. That's why you get so many blow-outs. A team will get up six or seven points and the other team will just give up.
"But our team didn't."
Prete said his team played tough for the first 30 minutes of the contest, holding Sherwood Park to no first downs int he first quarter.
"But they just wore us down."
The club should be strong next season with several key players —including quarterback Nicholi Pitcher, fullback Kent Nelson and tackles Richard Lowe and Ben Court —coming back.
"We'll be much bigger next year," Prete said.