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Provincial championship football

The Hunting Hills Lightning senior football team’s season ended on Saturday.

The Central Alberta High School Football League champions fell in the ASAA Tier II Provincial North Championship to the Austin O’Brien Crusaders 23-5 at Setters Place.

Despite the daunting final score, the Lightning never seemed out of it until the Crusaders delivered the final blow on a touchdown in the last minute of the game.

The loss came down to a lack of capitalizing on their opportunities. In particular, a pair of defensive stands by the Crusaders within yards of the goal line when the Lightning gambled on third down on two separate occasions.

The first came with 20 seconds left in the first half. The Crusaders were up 13-5 and the Lightning were on the three-year line and failed to punch it in on third down.

Head coach Kyle Sedgwick said he has a lot of faith in his team and felt they could have punched it in.

“I’m not going to kick a field goal there and you know what I might regret that decision later,” he said.

“If we kick the field goal there it’s 13-8 and it’d be a five-point game. Even if we don’t get it, it’s still a one-score game going into the half.”

The second chance came in the third quarter with the Crusaders up 16-5 after kicking a field goal on their opening drive of the half.

The Lightning marched down the field but were stuffed on the goal line after going for it on third down again with a minute and a half left in the quarter.

“We put together a good drive and got down to the four-yard line and again we could have kicked the field goal,” he said.

“Again that’s another opportunity because if we kick it’s 16-8 and a one-score game. We went for it and I’m not sure how close [receiver Adnesse Pannenbecker] was on that goal line but he was inches away.”

For much of the second half, the Crusaders ran down the clock with their running game and eventually notched another touchdown to extend their lead 23-5.

“It felt like one of those games where it was all good until the second half. It felt like we only had the ball twice and that’s not enough,” Sedgwick said.

“Credit to them and I hope they do very well next week whoever they play.”

Sedgwick also gave credit to his team saying their effort was phenomenal throughout the game. Hunting Hills’ points came from a field goal in the first quarter and a safety taken by the Crusaders on a punt in the second.

Lightning quarterback Marek Filipek threw for 197 yards and receiver Adnesse Pannenbecker caught nine passes for 82 yards. Runningback Ethan Bilo also had seven rushes for 46 yards.

It’s simply a tough ending to a fantastic season by the Lightning.

“They made more plays than we did and we didn’t capitalize on opportunities. If we get one of those in the endzone who knows what could have happened,” he said.

“The guys had a great season and they put our program back on the map. They made it to the final four in the province and there’s nothing to be ashamed of about that.”

Even though no Red Deer teams are left standing, Setters Place will host the ASAA High School Provincial Championships next week for the Alberta Bowl.

The weekend will get started with the 6-A-side provincial final on Friday at 1 p.m. between the No. 5 Hinton Wolfpack versus the No. 2 J.C. Charyk Hawks.

After that, at 4 p.m. the Austin O’Brien Crusaders will play the Cochrane Cobras in the Tier II provincial final followed by the Tier IV final between the Drumheller Titans and the St. Paul Lions at 7 p.m.

On Saturday the games start with Tier III action between the Cardston Cougars and the Holy Rosary Raiders at 11 a.m.. At 2:30 p.m. the Foothills Falcons will play the Salisbury Sabres in the Tier I Larry Wilson division followed by the Ernest Manning Griffins and Raymond Comets at 6 p.m. in the Tier I Brian Fryer division.

Marek Filipek’s introduction to football had a lighter side to it.

Nov 9, 2023 5:08 PM

Marek Filipek’s introduction to football had a lighter side to it.

“One day I saw my dad screaming at the television watching the (Denver) Broncos and it got me interested in the sport and I loved it ever since,” said Marek with a laugh.

“It changed my life.”

And for the good.

The Sylvan Lake native developed into one of the premier high school quarterbacks in the province, leading the Hunting Hills Lightning to the Central Alberta championship and a berth in the provincial Tier II quarter-finals against the St. Joseph’s Celtics of Grande Prairie, set for Saturday at 1 p.m. at Setters Place at Great Chief Park.

Marek got into football around Grade 5, playing atom through bantam in Sylvan Lake before the family moved to Red Deer.

“I started out as a quarterback and that’s the only position I’ve played since,” he explained.

“Sylvan has a good program and helped me develop but we decided to move to Red Deer for a change and that was a blessing for me. Coach (Kyle) Sedgewick has helped a lot.”

Marek’s father, who played middle linebacker in the 1990s for Salisbury in Sherwood Park, has been a silent force behind him and his brother Caden.

“He’s been great and my brother plays receiver, so we’re able to work out during the summer, which has also helped both of us,” said Marek, who is in his final season with the Lightning.

He’s turned in a dominant season, leading the undefeated Lightning to the championship — 20-9 over the Notre Dame Cougars — while leading the league in passing, hitting on 45 of 66 attempts for 935 yards and a 68.2 per cent completion average. Those numbers would have been higher but the Lightning had their game against the Lacombe Rams canceled this season.

The six-foot-two, 185-pound Filipek joined the Lightning in Grade 10, playing briefly behind veteran Alex Wilson. He threw just 15 passes his first year, but by Grade 11 he was taking over from Wilson as the starter.

Wilson had 21 pass attempts with Filipek connecting on 42 of 76 for a 55.3 per cent average.

“That first year was good for me as I was behind Alex and I was able to sit and watch and learn,” he said.

Marek throws the ball as well as, if not better, than the majority of past quarterbacks in the league.

“I think it just comes natural to me,” he said.

He also understands what it takes to be a leader on and off the field.

“The biggest thing is the pressure as you have to know everything and what everyone is doing,” he said. “It’s so important to always be calm and composed. You have a bad attitude and that can rub off on your teammates. To have success you all need to be on the same page.”

Marek has the experience to be a team leader as he not only led the Lightning, but played with Team Alberta’s U18 program last summer.

‘That was a great experience and I made some friendships I will never lose,” he said.

Marek has a lot of help in the leadership role with the Lightning with a solid group of Grade 12s led by running back-defensive back Ethan Bilo, receiver-kicker Riley Easton and receiver Adnesse Pannenbecker, a transfer from Lacombe.

Pannenbecker is one of the more exciting receivers in the conference and will play at the University of Alberta next year.

“He’s a great addition,” said Filipek. “We had a strong receiving corps already then adding him make a world of difference. Just another great guy who fits into our program.”

Pannenbecker led the Lightning with 17 receptions while Grade 11 standout Aldin Bilalbegovic had 14, Easton nine and Bilo seven.

“We have a lot of depth … guys with good hands,” said Filipek. “Guys who have bailed me out several times.”

Marek will finish his high school career this year but not his football career.

“I hope to play U Sport next year,” he said. “I’ve received an offer from the U of Ottawa and close to one from Queens. Hopefully, there could be others … we’ll see.

“But I do want to continue playing and possibly coaching down the road.”

The Lightning will receive one of their toughest tests of the season in the Celtics, who are ranked No. 1 in Tier II.

“We’ve both lost early in the season to Holy Trinity, that was it,” Filipek said. “I think whoever wins this game has a good chance to win the whole thing.”

The Lightning do have home-field advantage, in fact, they will have it as long as they keep winning. The provincial semifinal, against the winner of the Cold Lake Royals and Austin O’Brien Crusaders, is set for Nov. 17 in Red Deer with all the provincial finals scheduled for Setters Place Nov. 24-25.

“Playing at home couldn’t be better and I think we have a good chance if we play our game,” concluded Filipek.

In Tier I provincial play the Notre Dame Cougars host the Salisbury Sabres Friday at 5 p.m. at Great Chief Park while in Tier III the Stettler Wildcats visit the Crescent Height Vikings in Medicine Hat.

Danny Rode is a retired Advocate reporter and member of the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame who can be reached at [email protected]

On to provincials

Nov 6, 2023 11:44 AM

Lightning 20

Cougars 9

It’s been a season of pure dominance for the Hunting Hills Lightning senior football team.

On Saturday afternoon in the Central Alberta High School Football League finals, they continued that trend in a 20-9 win over the Notre Dame Cougars to remain undefeated.

Head coach Kyle Sedgwick said after the game it was awesome to win their first league title since 2019.

“I’m really proud of these guys none of them have experienced this before. We haven’t won in three years. Obviously no season in 2020 and then lost in the final last year to Stettler,” he said.

“Today was a battle. We had quite a few guys who were quite ill and it was ugly. The guy’s energy levels weren’t where it usually is but I thought Notre Dame played an excellent game.

“I really want to give them credit because they battled us hard and Lacombe battled us hard last week. We’ve played two very hard playoff games.”

The Lightning got on the board first with 7:22 remaining in the first quarter, running back Ethan Bilo ran it into the end zone after they marched downfield.

Hunting added two more field goals in the second quarter before Bilo scored his second touchdown of the game on a 10-yard rush.

The Lightning went for two and missed to lead 19-0 before halftime

“Offensively today we did a great job in between the 30-yard lines. We were making lots of plays and then we just couldn’t finish,” Sedgwick said.

“An unlucky fumble down right on the goal line and then all of a sudden it’s a game.”

With just over two minutes left in the game, Cougars Nolan Burton ran in for the touchdown to cut into the 20-7 lead. The Cougars later added a safety to tack on two points but there wasn’t enough time for a comeback.

With the victory, the Lightning remain undefeated at 6-0 with provincials around the corner.

Sedgwick said he’s proud of his team for capturing their ninth league title since 2010.

The experience of making it to the league final last year and losing he added was a motivating factor for the 30 returning players.

“We had some nervous energy on the sideline which is good. You’ve got to be a little nervous we just need to use it better. We were a little emotionless at times but it’s alright we’ll learn from it,” he said.

Cougars head coach Ian Rattan said the game came down to too many missed opportunities.

“We had a couple of missed field goals and we went for it on third down a couple of times in their end. We just didn’t get the looks we wanted,” he said.

“We’re super happy with how the kids fought though. We could have given up on multiple chances but they didn’t quit all night.

“We told the kids there were two outcomes they were going to be happy or sad.

“It doesn’t define you as a person. Bad stuff happens in sports sometimes but the better person is the one who dusts themselves off and gets ready for the next battle.”

Next up for the Cougars is they’ll host the Salisbury Sabres on Friday, Nov. 10 at 5 p.m. at Setters Place in Tier I action with a chance to make it to the North Championship the following weekend.

For the Lightning, they’ll take on the St. Joseph’s Celtics in the Tier II semifinals on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. at Setters Place with an opportunity to advance to the North Championship.

Sedgwick explained Hunting Hills typically plays in the south so this is the first time they’ve come out of the north. They’re excited to play the Celtics who he said have a long history of winning.

“We’re going to have to play better than we did tonight… We’ll enjoy this tonight and then get ready for St. Jospeh starting tomorrow,” he said.

That’s a wrap on a busy sports season

Hunting Hills High School held its annual athletic awards banquet on Thursday honouring athletes for yet another great season.

Among the major award winners were Female Athlete of the Year Grace Watson and Male Athlete of the Year Riley Easton, both in Grade 11.

Watson is a two-sport athlete, excelling on the field in rugby and on the basketball court.

Her passion for both sports shined brightly this school year averaging a double-double in basketball. When asked which was her favourite she couldn’t possibly choose.

“I love them both equally. I’m honestly torn between them,” she said.

“I love playing sports. I love the competitiveness and I’m all the way with it… I just think teams are family and those girls are my family. It’s good to spend time with people who want to work together and push ourselves to be the best people we can be.”

Her commitment as well as other attributes earned her Female Athlete of the Year honours which she said was an awesome feeling.

“It’s such, an honour, and such a blessing. It feels amazing and I’m so grateful to have it.”

Watson is the youngest of three siblings who all played rugby. Despite following in their footsteps Watson explained it didn’t take long for her to fall in love with the game.

In addition to the major award, Watson was also named MVP of the senior girl’s basketball team and awarded the Lightning Award for rugby.

Riley Easton, who was also in Grade 11 this year, earned the award by excelling in multiple sports this year.

The young man played basketball, football, badminton, and track and field.

Even though he did well in all of them Easton explained Football is where he feels most at home.

“I just fell in love with it. I love the team and everything about it… It just feels right,” he said.

Last season he played both ways starting at wide receiver and defensive back for the Lightning senior football team. He’s also represented his province at the U17 and U16 levels on the gridiron playing for Team Alberta.

His consistent improvement in the sport helped him become an important part of the squad and he hopes to one day play at the university level. He’s even seen some interest from some schools.

“I’ve had interest from the University of Regina and I’ve had emails from Toronto,” he added.

Easton is poised to receive more offers as he heads into his senior year in September but for now, he’s focused on enjoying playing sports with his friends.

“Tournaments with teams basketball especially and going on to provincials in football. Doing all that stuff it’s a lot of fun with those guys.”

Elections Alberta confirmed the total unofficial results of the advance vote on May 29, saying that the turnout had been 758,550 people.

“For the second election in a row we have seen record-breaking voter turnout during advance voting days,” said Glen Resler, Chief Electoral Officer for Elections Alberta.

Some of the busiest advance voting locations in the province were in Calgary.

Calgary-Acadia with Southcentre Mall, Calgary-Hays at McKenzie Towne Church, Calgary-Edgemont with Foothills Alliance Church, Calgary-Beddington with Huntington Hills Community Hall and Sportsplex, and Calgary-Shaw with Cardel Rec South made up five of the top 10 busiest locations in the province.

Calgary adjacent locations Frank Wills Memorial Hall in Cochrane for Airdrie-Cochrane, and Okotoks Centennial Hall for Highwood were also on the top 10 list.

Only a single location in Edmonton made the top 10.

How these votes are counted

After voting closes at 8 p.m., results will begin to be shared with Elections Alberta from each voting place.

Tabulators are used to count advance ballots, and hand counts are completed for special ballots, election day ballots, and mobile voting place ballots.

Elections Alberta addressed the issue of slow vote counting after polls closed, saying that it is a process that takes some time.

“We’re not seeing any issues at this time, but we understand that people are keen to see the results,” they said.

Live from the headquarters

Calgary-Buffalo Alberta NDP candidate Joe Ceci said that his party had run a campaign in Calgary that kept many of the same volunteers from their 2015 run.

“It’s been a long campaign. We’ve worked really hard as a team, and we’ve come together as a team all across the city,” he said.

“I’ve met so many hundreds, maybe thousands of volunteers who are just fired up for a different way to go forward in this province.”

He said that the party had done a good job of reaching voters, and that spirits were high from the number of signs that had been given out across the city.

Calgary-West UCP candidate Mike Ellis said that he felt a shift at the doors after the May 18 leaders debate. He said that public safety was a big topic at Calgarians’ doors.

“But also affordability, jobs, the economy, ensuring that a conservative government would be best suited to be stewards of a government going into the future – especially when it comes to the economy,” he said.

Battleground constituencies

Calgary-Bow is a battle between former member of Calgary City Council Druh Farrell for the Alberta NDP, and Demetrios Nicolaides for the UCP. Nicolaides served as Minister for Advanced Education.

Calgary-Currie saw UCP candidate Nicholas Milliken, who served as the Minister for Mental Health and Addiction, battling to retain his seat against Alberta NDP candidate Janet Eremenko.

David Pawlowski, brother of Artur Pawlowski and noted Calgary street preacher who was found in contempt of an injunction granted to Alberta Health Services during the pandemic, is also running in the constituency.

First-time Alberta NDP candidate and energy consultant Samir Kayande is running against first-time UCP candidate and lawyer Chris Davis, for the seat that was vacated by former Minister Doug Schweitzer.

Artur Pawlowski, a noted Calgary street preacher who was found in contempt of an injunction granted to Alberta Health Services during the pandemic and has organized anti-drag and anti-transgender protests, is also running in the constituency.

Jason Luan, first elected in 2012 under the PC Party banner and was re-elected under the UCP, is running against Alberta NDP candidate and former Calgary Economic Development vice president Court Ellingson.

Luan served as the Minister for Community and Social Services.

Alberta NDP candidate Nagwan Al-Guneid, who worked in oil and gas and renewable energy, is challenging incumbent UCP candidate Whitney Issik.

Issik served as the Minister of Environment and Parks, and as Associate Minister of Status of Women.

UCP candidate Eric Bouchard was vocal prior to the election about pandemic public health measures, having lost his restaurant business during Covid-19. One tweet was expletive-laden and directed at Calgary city councillor, Gian-Carlo Carra. The Alberta Liberal Party leader, John Roggeveen is also running in this riding.

The Alberta NDP candidate, Venkat Ravulaparthi has worked in computer program design and is currently pursuing a law degree.

This riding is a battle over the direction of healthcare in Alberta, with former Minister of Health Jason Copping, UCP, and the Alberta NDP's Dr. Luanne Metz. Dr. Metz is a University of Calgary professor and globally-recognized medical researcher.