When the Fort McMurray Monarchs took to the field Saturday night in the Canadian Major Football League National Championship, they were not playing for just themselves but for an entire community.
SMS Equipment Stadium was filled with emotion and 1,360 screaming fans who cheered on their hometown Monarchs to a 59-45 victory over the defending National champion G.T.A. All-Stars.
“This one’s not just about us, this one’s a community and I think this is a great storybook ending,” said Linebacker and Team President Jesse Maddox.
It has been a roller coaster ride of a season for the Monarchs. With May’s evacuation, to playing with donated equipment on a temporary home field in Spruce Grove, the adversity this team has overcome is truly remarkable.
“Words can’t describe,” said a smiling Head Coach Dave Spence. “We’ve had practices when we first started out with 10 guys and it grew and grew and we were all displaced and they really came together.”
“To do it with this group after the adversity we had to overcome it is really special.”
The Monarchs came out hungry and set the tone early, scoring on the opening drive of the game when quarterback Will Arndt called his own number and rushed in from two yards out.
Arndt has been spectacular all season for the Monarchs but he saved his best performance for the biggest game in the franchise’s history.
The Connecticut native rushed for four touchdowns in the game and threw for three, hooking up with wide receiver Pascal Tshilambo twice as well as Dylan Elias.
“It’s awesome!” said Arndt. “To be a champion at anything, it’s not easy to do in life and I have a bond with these guys forever as National champs.”
The Monarchs led 35-17 at the half. The only scare came early in the third quarter when the All-Stars cut the lead to nine but that was as close as they would get.
“There were a couple drives where we needed to get a score,” said Arndt. “They got some momentum and we found ways to grind out the drives. I think guys were getting a little complacent, but ultimately a really great, resilient effort by our guys.”
The Monarchs are in just their third year and have gone from a .500 team to losing in the Alberta Football League final to National Champions.
“At the end of the day, the camaraderie, the manhood, the family is there this year,” said Maddox who had a 50 yard interception and was named Defensive Player of the game. “It’s deep this year and I think that’s why we’re able to overcome some things that we wouldn’t have last year.”
“Probably the best feeling I’ve ever had,” said Offensive Lineman Kirby Fletcher. “It’s been the best year possible, we have a mixed bag of guys from all over the country and we all came together as one unit and brought home a National Championship.”
Arndt was named Offensive Player of the Game after rushing for three touchdowns in the second half and Jourdain Alexis was named Special Teams Player of the Game.
