The Drumheller Titans are heading back on to the field and are looking for a few more bodies to put the team over the edge.

The senior football team has a strong core of players on its roster and is looking forward to a strong Season. The team’s training camp begins on August 17, and   Coach Ken Fournier thinks they’ll be able to put points up on the board.

“It will be the offense this year. This year we have more offensive weapons than what we have had a in a quite a few years,” he said. “We have lots of talent we just need more bodies to compete.”

Along with the players already registered, he hopes to see some new faces on the field.

“We need depth. If we want to compete at the level we want to compete, we should have about 35-40 players. We are hovering around 30. If you want to win championships, you have to have enough people to weather the storm throughout the season.”

Fall training camp goes for two weeks and they are planning an exhibition game, slated for August 29.  Coach Fournier invites anyone who is interested in playing the game to come out.

‘There is no harm in trying, there is no obligation, said Fournier. “Even home schoolers and kids from St. Anthony’s and other schools can play,” he said, adding that they have been pleasantly surprised by talent  from other schools in the past. 

The team is back playing the Rangeland Conference, and Fournier says they have a competitive schedule from the get go. Their first two regular season games put hem up against the Crescent Heights of Lethbridge and then the Medicine Hat Mohawks .

“They have to play the two toughest teams to start the season,” said Fournier.

To learn more about the Senior Titans and how to get involved, contact coach Fournier at Coach0440@live.com

Over 160 riders saddled up and headed to TL Bar and Ranch to ride along the Red Deer River for the 26 annual ride for STARS on Sunday.

The event, as of Monday morning, raised just over $40,000 for STARS.

The total amount raised, which included riders’ pledges, a silent auction, a raffle, a pancake breakfast, a hotdog lunch, donated by Freson Bros. and put on by Goouch’s Gang, and a pie in the face bidding wars auction will make an approximate grand total of $665,000 raised over the 26 year period. 

Ride for STARS spokesperson Rob Richmond said donations are still coming in and the numbers are a rough total. 

Awards were presented to the top riders with the most pledges. In the junior, 15 and under, riders category, the top pledges earned go to Rylee Jones with $1,405 who received a bridle donated by Ernie Goddard, Chase Andersen with $1,030 who received a cash prize donated by Heavy Metal Auto Wreckers in memory of Tim Lynch and Meah Richmond with $315 who received a $100 gift card donated by Brian and Amanda Newton.

In the senior, 16 and over, riders category, Lynn Tanner raised $7,520 and received a belt buckle donated by the Rumsey Agricultural Society, Ernie Goddard raised $7,415  and received a photo donated by STARS and Nikki Hiron raised $4,835 and received pommel bags donated by Ernie Goddard.

The oldest rider was 87-year-old Marvin Donaghy and the youngest rider at just three years old was Chesney Andersen. 

Josh Bhikoo was this year’s Very Important Patient (VIP) who spoke about his experience with STARS and how they saved his life.

“The success of the ride is the hard work of the volunteers and the great generous support of communities and businesses in the area,” Richmond said.

The pie in the face bidding wars was a success with Bhikoo bidding $60 to throw a pie in Richmond’s face. Just as Bhikoo was about to throw the pie, Richmond’s wife Angela stepped in and stole the pie making sure to rub it in well.

After a pie in the face for Richmond, he and the group of riders, family, friends and volunteers had dinner that was made by Country Cookers.