If junior and university football teams don't come knocking after high school some players no longer strap on the pads and play.
For three players with a Unity connection and one with ties to Wilkie, that hasn't been t the case. Unity Warriors alumni Regan Schell and Daniel Herrick along with short term Unity resident Tanner Smith and former McLurg Bronc for Wilkie, Josh Kovach were part of the championship winning Lloydminster Vandals Canadian Major Football League team that defeated Toronto in the final Saturday.
The Vandals captured the Alberta Football League, which includes the Calgary Wolfpack, Calgary Gators, Central Alberta Buccaneers, Edmonton Stallions, Grande Prairie Drillers and Edmonton Garrison Army to move on to the Canadian title against the Toronto Titans.
Schell is in his fifth year with the team and plays offensive line. He has been a captain in all five seasons he has played. Herrick drove from Saskatoon for second season with the Vandals this year. His first was in 2010 when the team again won the AFL title. Smith, who played quarterback in Plenty, changed to linebacker when he joined the Vandals and is in his third season.
Both Schell and Herrick played for UCHS Warriors and their former coach Pat Orobko was on hand to watch the victory.
"A pretty decent game. Toronto controlled the first quarter and Lloydminster took over in the second," commented Orobko. "The Vandals played well the rest of the way. Daniel had a couple of catches at slot and made some great blocks for other receivers. Reggie played very well at right guard, usually handling Toronto's largest defensive tackle."
"Having coach O at the game just really shows the support he has for the Warrior program," said Herrick. "As busy as he is with his family and his own team to run, he always tries to make time to get out and support the alumni. It's nice to have that support and know that you are always a part of the high school program you came from."
Kovach plays linebacker for the Vandals. He played for the team last year when he was working in Unity, but found this year's commitment more extreme as he is now based out of Viterra in Humboldt. His parents and former coach Mark Mzyzychzyn were on hand for the game as well.
Toronto had a chance to win the game late with a Hail Mary pass that fell incomplete and the Vandals held on for the 25-19 win. Approximately 1,200 people were in attendance for the national championship game.
"This championship has been a long time coming and to win a national title at our home field was amazing and an experience I will never forget," said Schell. "The team we put together to have an undefeated season was just a big family and we couldn't have found a better bunch of guys to play with and become lifelong friends with."
Most of the players on the Vandals roster work and have to give up their summer weekends to play and practises, but all have that burning desire to play football in what they desribe as a working man's league.
Also on the team was Jess Valleau, a former Battlefords North Stars hockey player, who played 20 games before choosing football. He played with University of Alberta before joining the Vandals.
