Playing for a National Championship is something every athlete dreams of.
To be known as the best of the best from coast to coast is something not many athletes get the pleasure of experiencing.
Saturday night the Fort McMurray Monarchs will get that opportunity as they are set to play in the biggest game in franchise history.
The Monarchs will welcome the GTA All-Stars to Shell Place and play for a National Championship.
“The title National Championship, the fact that when you win a game like that, that means you went through the whole season with your teammates and you’ll never forget that, the guys will have that special bond the rest of their life so it’s one of the biggest games you’ll ever play in,” said Linebacker Mccartney Sealey.
It has been anything but an easy road to the National game for the Monarchs. The team overcame the evacuation by playing in donated equipment on a temporary home field. But even with borrowed gear and technically playing six of eight games on the road, the Monarchs finished the season in second place in the Alberta Football League with a 7-1 record.
On route to the National Championship, the team knocked off the defending AFL champs Calgary Gators in the semi-final before getting their revenge on the Central Alberta Buccaneers 32-23 in the final. The Bucs are the only team to have beat the Monarchs this year, a 43-42 victory back on June 4.
“We’ve overcome a lot of stuff this season for the people who work and live here and also a lot of adversary,” said Defensive Tackle Asante Mizan.
“The different type of characters we have on this team we were able to understand what happened and we were able to come out here and see what good this city has to offer,” said Offensive Lineman Tim Mitchell. “We wanted to come together, win football games, and win a National Championship for this city,”
A tough task lies ahead to win the ultimate prize. The All-Stars are the reigning national champs, defeating the Gators 39-38 in last year’s Canadian Major Football League championship. The Monarchs will also have to find a way to shutdown a potent All-Stars offence led by former CIS all-star quarterback Tommy Denison. Denison is a two time All Canadian and a two time winner of the Hec Creighton Award presented to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport football MVP.
“We’re definitely expecting a tough game but we’re definitely not shying away from it.” said Mizan. “We know they’re an experienced athletic group but we definitely know that we have a lot of athletes and talent on our team and we haven’t been scared of playing anybody.”
Kickoff for the game is set for 7:00 p.m.
Tickets for the game are available at the Shell Place box office or at onerec.ca.
