(Submitted photo/David Rodgers)

By Ben Tompkins

Provincial Semi-Final

Melfort Comets two-year win streak ends in Shaunavon

Nov 9, 2023 | 10:44 AM

A historic streak by the Melfort Comets football team has officially come to an end.

After roughly two whole years without suffering defeat (about 16 games), the club is no longer perfect.

Melfort went 9-0 last season, en route to a perfect season and provincial championship and it looked like they were on their way to doing it again this year.

Unfortunately, a 37-28 loss in the provincial semi-final this past weekend in Shaunavon, ended that hope.

“Everybody always wants to win, winning is fun, but I think there is a lesson that can come out of losing that can be a good motivator,” explained head coach, David Rodgers.

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“There are kids on our team who until Saturday had never lost a football game and I think that there is something to be gained from that from the losing, unfortunately though, it had to happen to us in a provincial semi-final.”

The Comets were down the entire game, however, they were always within striking distance.

Their defence was tremendous, as it was just 14-7 at the half before their offence caught up and scored three times the amount of points in the second half.

Melfort just always seemed like they were down a score, in what became a shootout near the end.

“Close was the best way to describe it and unfortunately, it didn’t work out in our favour,” Rodgers added.

“I’m really proud of the way they fought through all of the adversity and kept themselves and their teammates positive and made sure everybody was trying to do their best to get us the result we were looking for at the end, which we just fell short of.”

And while it wasn’t the way the group wanted their season to end, a lot of positives can be taken for next year, as they are quite young.

The majority of the club was in grades 10 and 11, with a third of the organization being the former.

“We were young and as always our goal is to grow and we saw tremendous growth throughout the year for all those players,” Rodgers told northeastNOW. “With so many young guys and with the work and the desire that they’ve shown to put the effort in year after year, the future for next year is bright.”

Now, the offseason and the preparation to get better for the start of next year begins, behind an amazing fan base/community support, and a core group of coaching staff that’s been there since 2010.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On X @BenTompkins_8