Covy Moore/Rocky View Publishing

The Mustangs celebrate with the Airdrie Bowl trophy after the game. The Mustangs won the annual Airdrie Bowl football game Oct. 4 at the Genesis Place Football Field.

view all photos (-count-)

Mustangs defeat Chargers in ninth annual Airdrie Bowl

With a packed grandstand and a cold wind, the George McDougall Mustangs have placed one more plaque on the Airdrie Bowl trophy, bringing the school’s win total to four in the annual cross-town grudge match, Oct. 4 at the Genesis Place Football Field.

The final score of the matchup was 24-7, but the score did not do justice to the competitiveness of the game.

“George Mac played very well, they were very hyped for that game,” said Chargers Head Coach Andy Kirk.

“We really thought that in the last six minutes (of the half) we took over the game. The defence stepped it up, and offence took care of the ball.”

Just prior to the half, the score was 14-7 for the Mustangs, but an offensive bobble gave possession to the Chargers that narrowly ran out of time before drawing even into the halftime break.

One second-half touchdown coupled with a field goal gave the Mustangs the 24-7 win.

“It was a fantastic win, but we still have a lot of room for improvements,” said Mustangs Head Coach Brent Legault.

“We had quite a few brainfarts, but we did catch them during the game.”

One aspect Legault said gave the Mustang’s the edge during the game was the amount of passes thrown by Quarterback Jordan Grove, sending 17 in the air, with five completions.

“If that (passing) is working, it opens up our playbook immensely because the defence is scrambling to figure things out,” said Legault.

“In order to have a good running game, you have to have an good air game, and to have a good air game, you need to have a good running game.”

Kirk said his team did well dealing with the Mustangs’ air game during the matchup by ensuring each player was doing their job on the field.

“We talked about how (the game) was going to work, punching in your time card, and going out on the field and doing your job,” said Kirk.

“The excitement of the game really helps.”

Kirk added that excitement has been building since the game’s inception nine years ago, and he hopes it can continue to grow and become a community event.

This year’s event featured a colour-guard, a half-time show and fundraisers for Rocky View School’s Food For Thought program and the Airdrie Football Society.

The Food For Thought food drive and raffle raised more than $300 in cash and about 30 bags worth of food.

The fundraising totals were not available from the Airdrie Football Society at press time.

“It was exciting. Football is becoming more of an event. There has been some new things done this year to get more community involvement,” said Kirk.

“I have always said we should get the City on board to get a burst of fireworks at the end of the game, and make it more of a Friday Night Lights event, Airdrie style.”

Legault agreed with Kirk, adding that type of atmosphere of hundreds of people in the stands will ensure another generation of high school students who want to play in those types of games.

“The kids were excited to be there,” said Legault.

“For a few of them, they had said it was the biggest game they had been in. It elevated the knowledge and awareness of the game.”