Gators Win U14 Championship In Hard Fought Battle
On a football field seemingly littered with helmets the MJ Gators celebrated defeating the MJ Vikings 24 - 6 and capturing the 2025 Kinsmen Moose Jaw Minor Football Association’s U14 division crown.
For the Gators it was a seemingly unexpected upset victory while for the Vikings it was their only loss - both regular season and playoffs - oh the year.
“You know what it’s what you play the game for - to win the championship. The kids were pumped. We knew we were in for a tough game tonight because both the Vikings had our number in our first game we ended that coming in,” Cory Harkness head coach of the Gators said.
Gator helmets litter the playing field after their championship game victory - MJ Independent photo
Harkness said the Vikings are a tough team.
“They are undefeated they have so many good players on that side of the ball. We knew we had to play hard and our guys came to play today,” he said.
Vikings’ Cohen Hofer (left) attempts to tackle the Gators’ Oliver Bunnell - MJ Independent photo
The first quarter was scoreless.
The second quarter saw the Gators get two touchdowns, but they’re unable to make the two two point conversions that were attempted.
The score at halftime was Gators 12 and the Vikings 0.
The third quarter saw vikings get on the scoreboard with a touchdown, but as the Gators did they were unable to pull off a two point conversion.
The score at the end of the third quarter was Gators 12 and the Vikings 6.
The Gators would score at 11:06 of the fourth quarter and score their final touchdown at 9:24.
The final score was 24 - 6.
Gators Deron Bangsrud (left) makes a catch against Vikings’ defender Tucker Knoop - MJ Independent photo
He said the year had been a good one.
“I couldn’t have written this year up any better. I was just talking to a coach it’s almost sweeter when you have to come back beat a team that beat you previously. I’m just so super happy about the league. The three Moose Jaw teams are so strong,” he said, adding “Moose Jaw teams are so strong, it’s so good.”
“I won’t be back next year. So it’s so good to leave this way,” he said.
Bekkem Usher walks off the field with the trainer following a minor injury - MJ Independent photo
Harkness said injuries impacted the Vikings.
“They didn’t have Panko in uniform. He’s a solid running back for them. I know (Bekkem) Usher took some stingers there. Nelson Karal took some stingers. What injuries hurt you it all depends who shows up.”
An onside kick attempt - MJ Independent photo
Vikings head coach Allan Hender said the outcome was opposite to what the Vikings were looking for.
“There were only two outcomes and we were on the wrong side of it tonight it’s just the way it goes,” Hender said.
For Hender - who hangs up his head coach whistle as his son Lachlan graduates out of the program - was looking for a perfect season and a championship.
Despite the championship game lost the Vikings had a great season.
“It was an excellent year. Hats off to the Gators. We save some of our injuries until the last game.”
Vikings’ quarterback Lachlan Hender tries to get around Quinton Vanbocquestal - MJ Independent photo
“Would it have helped us if the were on the field? I don’t know but hats off the the Gators.”
Despite the loss in the final, he said he was very pleased with the Vikings season.
“It (the season) felt great. We struggled last year. We talked about that earlier in the season. This year was fantastic. What a memorable.great bunch of kids we had to work with.”
“Hats off to the gators they did an excellent job today when we knew it was going to be tough against them.”
The Gators’ Andrew Lazurko goes after on an onside kick - MJ Independent photo
Despite being no longer involved as a coach, he said you never know because if he’s needed, he may come back in some sort of manner.
“Who knows what the future will bring? I wasn’t supposed to be doing this just a little while ago. I’ll have to see what happens.”
Although we couldn’t remember exactly when he played Hender is a veteran of the Moose Jaw minor football league program.
Gators team members celebrate their victory - MJ Independent photo
In their talks with their teams, both coaches encouraged the players to continue their football careers.
Harkness said football can have major positive impacts for youth.
“When we coach at the high school level and minor football we talk about how programs need certain kids and how some certain kids need the program,” he said.
Both and sometimes you need those kids to come out and play. Something to do to keep them busy. I don’t know network and they find out friends. You can give them some value and worth they may haven’t found in other activities. It’s just so exciting.
Hender said character was a major factor in who was drafted last year and this season.
“They were great to begin with that’s why we picked them. We had a complete draft last year and we definitely went for character. Andwe got those guys this year and we did the same thing we went for character it gave us the most solid team out there.”
Gators Deron Bangsrud (left) makes a catch against Vikings’ defender Tucker Knoop - MJ Independent photo
Hender said he sees football as a means to stay away from bad influences and live a better life.
He mentioned how football was there for him when he was younger and how much it helped. The football program improved fitness but also built better people.
Hender said there were good athletes but also good kids working hard and improving their lives.
