The Estevan Lions Club Steelers were given an almost impossible task in their final regular season game.
Up against the dominant Regina Raiders, the Steelers managed to score only the third touchdown allowed by the Raiders all season, but were on the wrong end of a one-sided 71-8 final.
The Raiders (7-0) have won each of their games by more than 20 points this season.
It was the final regular season game in minor football for many of the Steelers, and head coach Phil Zajac said that gave them some motivation.
"We talked about that a lot this week, about the guys who'll be moving to ECS next year and trying to win it for them, but when you're playing a team that has only allowed two touchdowns all year and they're undefeated, it's a real challenge at any level of football."
The Raiders led 43-0 at halftime after scoring two majors late in the first half.
One highlight in a mostly miserable first half for the Steelers came early in the second quarter, when the Raiders returned a punt to the Estevan 10-yard line and the Steelers promptly forced them to turn it over on downs.
However, the Steelers couldn't do anything on the ensuing possession and kneeled for a safety.
Estevan's lone touchdown came late in the fourth quarter, with the Raiders leading 65-0.
Running back Levi Pick broke free for a 70-yard rushing major and Prestin Bergen kicked the convert.
Zajac said he was hungry to score a touchdown on the Raiders' vaunted defence.
"We were going to score a touchdown, no matter what happened. If I had to put my starters back in to score a touchdown, I was not going to let them shut us out.
"Am I very glad that we scored a touchdown on them? Absolutely. Could we have done that all game? Absolutely. I think our O-line at the beginning of the game just struggled a bit. They're a big, strong team," he said.
Zajac added that he was happy with the way his team responded to a tough opening half.
"I think the most important thing about the second half, we talked a lot about it at halftime, is basically it's gut-check time for the football team. What we're creating here is an atmosphere of football players that don't quit, and it's a life lesson. If you have a bad day at work or a bad day at school, do you just quit, or do you suck it up and keep playing?
"That's what they did. They played much better in the second half. We still struggled with a few of the big plays, which has been our nemesis all year."
Zajac said a couple of defensive players, in particular, looked good.
"I thought Riley Meshke played a fantastic game. Colby Ricard, he's a little guy on the team, and he made some huge tackles, quarterback sacks, he did everything.
"(Meanwhile) the offence has been firing for the last three weeks and this week it just didn't happen."
The Steelers have a round-robin format bowl game on Saturday against the Weyburn Raiders and Regina Lakers in Regina. Each team will play one half against each of the others to determine the winner.
