Richard Froese
South Peace News
The High Prairie Outlaws have been sidelined for the Mighty Peace Bantam Football League because of low numbers.
High Prairie was unable to fill a roster with the required numbers to start the season, Outlaws’ head coach Kristin Rich says.
A team has to have 17 players registered, 15 to play and those players have to be showing up for practice as well for safety reasons, she says.
“As this was not the case, we had until Sept. 15 to get enough players,” Rich says.
“Unfortunately, this did not work out.”
She says the numbers game has occurred in the past.
“In past years, the numbers have always been an issue, but new rules forced this,” Rich says.
“We had plans to work with the local school divisions and school athletic directors to have flag football put into the school curriculum, which will bring in more interest and we plan on pulling players from other communities for higher numbers next year as we are now allowed to do this.”
Outlaw players will remain active in the game.
In the meantime, the Outlaws will continue to practice with the high school High Prairie Renegades.
“We will join the Peace River Prospectors at their games to keep the Outlaw players’ skill-building up until we have the numbers next year,” Rich says.
Coaches on both the Outlaws and Prospectors are happy with the arrangement.
“The league is happy with this unique connection for both teams, that is gives the Peace River team more players.” Rich says.
Similarly, the Wembley Bulldogs have also been sidelined by a shortage of players.
Bulldog players has been dispersed to the Grande Prairie Broncos, Norsemen and Raiders.
“This is a win-win for the league, in the end, for a great season, considering the situation, so the players still have an opportunity to play a full season,” Rich says.
High Prairie and Wembley remain in the league, she notes.
“The league is not getting rid of the Outlaws and Bulldogs,” Rich says.
“We stay in the league as is and work toward growing numbers next spring.”
That was confirmed at a meeting with the league Sept. 17, she notes.
Peace River welcomes the Outlaw players, Prospector co-head coach Josh Scott says.
“The Prospectors are looking to work with the Outlaws under the Prospectors name to keep the Outlaw players in football to help them build for next season,” Scott says.
That leaves the league with just five teams that includes Peace River, the Sexsmith Shamrocks and the Grande Prairie Broncos, Norsemen and Raiders for the 2024 season.