Memorable season Gridiron players from St. Stephen and Calais, Me., find championship bond with dream season

Mary-Ellen Saunders
Telegraph-Journal
As published on page B11 on November 23, 2006

PHOTO SUBMITTED

The Pratt Chevrolet Silverados recently captured the Maritime bantam football championship with a win over the Annapolis Valley Bulldogs.

SAINT JOHN - Beating big city cats from across the province and bringing championships and glory home this season, the small-town football players from St. Stephen have people wondering, 'What is it about these kids?'

After taking down the Fredericton Junior Black Kats 44-6 in the under-15 bantam provincial championship, the Calais-St. Stephen Spartans advanced to the Maritime title tilt on Monday, defeating the Annapolis Valley Bulldogs 56-14.

Their younger counterparts in the under-13 peewee league became provincial champions with a 33-0 win over the Salisbury Silver Foxes. But Monday was their demise as they got taken down by the Halifax North End Argos 44-8 for the Maritime title.

The St. Stephen Spartans dominated the New Brunswick High School League's 10-man division, winning seven of their eight games. The team advanced to the provincial final but were beaten by the Harbour View Vikings of Saint John 28-21.

All three head coaches said the kids are committed to the teams, never skipping practices, which run four or five nights a week and working hard even in the off-season. For them, success has been the pay-off of their extra effort and time.

Chris Ives, coach of the peewee Silverados, said he has asked himself why the St. Stephen kids are so committed many times.

"I don't know if it's the country boy thing," said Ives. "We are the only thing in town. There's not a lot going on so they focus on this. When you are in the bright lights and big city some kids that would come out don't because they gravitate to other things. Maybe we are more focused."

Because the gear is provided for the players and the cost is low, Ives said it is also the only chance some kids have to be part of a team, so they embrace it.

The coaches said the community is starting pick up the spirit of the game and they hope to turn St. Stephen into a football town. They hope to carry on their winning streak, improve their teams and start a tradition.

Next year, the Spartans will lose 17 of their players but will get to draw from the pool of bantam championship winners. With the bantam team only two years old, the high school team has only had one previous player from the feeder system.

"I think we are going to be very competitive every year," Spartans coach Tom Hart said, adding that his team always has to overcome the size disadvantage. He only gets about 22 players and has to use them on both sides of the ball for the whole game, whereas other teams have 45 players.

"But it's about commitment. You could play with 15 (players) if all the kids are there everyday and committed... It's the main thing that differentiates us from other places. We don't accept it when people miss practice, if you don't want to commit, don't play."

Coach Ian Pratt of the bantam Silverados said his kids are as committed as they come and have a true appreciation and love for the game. He expects the high school team to shine next year.

"They are picking up a great quarterback and offensive line and next year should be another great year for St. Stephen," said Pratt. "They are picking up a bunch of guys that just won the Maritime championship."

The bantam and peewee teams are made up of kids from both St. Stephen and Calais, Me. Pratt is from Calais and prides his team with being one of the only international football teams in North America.

He said bringing the two communities together has built up a generation of kids who do not view the other side as enemies. Instead, they have made lifelong friends and have come to view the two small towns as one.

The sad thing will be when the kids head to different high schools and have to split up their team. In Calais, Pratt said there is no high school team. This year could be the last time some of the kids ever put on a football jersey. He is rallying the community to start up a high school team.

All three coaches say football is not only about the game, but also about making boys into good men.

They said they focus on teaching their teams respect and good sportsmanship and to represent their tiny town with class and honour.

"Football is so good for people, it is one of the few things in life where you ask somebody to put their body and physical well being on the line for something that is bigger than themselves," said Pratt.