(l-r) Travis Dietrich and Gage Berdahl pose before game two against the Kamloops Broncos at Exhibition Stadium in Chilliwack.
Selected Titans football players have excelled in their sport, gaining a considerable amount of attention from the Canadian Junior Football League.
Local graduates from St. Anthony’s and Drumheller Valley Secondary School, Travis Dietrich, Alan Lister, and Gage Berdahl are pursuing their passion, and doing it successfully.
Ron LaPrise coached all three boys through their provincial championship games with the Titans and knows their individual skill levels.
“I’ve seen these boys through for three years: grade 10, 11, and 12,” LaPrise says. “They will be huge impact players for their teams. I have no doubt that these boys will be able to go onto university level after they upgrade.”
While Lister stayed close to home with the Calgary Colts, Dietrich and Berdahl took their abilities to British Columbia, to play for the Chilliwack Huskers.
The road ahead seemed intimidating, yet all three overlooked the challenges in order to go forward in their sport.
Despite having to leave his family and friends behind in Drumheller, going into the Huskers try-outs in May, Berdahl had already made up his mind. When offered the opportunity to be a part of the team as a starting receiver, Berdahl was prepared.
“Being so far away from home by yourself can be a scary thing but with the team, it’s like a second family. It’s my first year playing junior football so there’s usually a transition period to adjusting to the faster pace, especially playing against [guys who are as old as] 21 years old, but that doesn’t mean I’m not expecting big things from myself in my rookie year.” Berdahl explains, “I have the opportunity to contribute to the team very early and the coaches believe in my abilities to compete.”
Dietrich, working alongside Berdahl as a defensive lineman, has the same kind of opportunity playing for the Huskers.
“I hope being on this team helps me pursue my football career,” Dietrich says.
Lister’s main focus for his experience with the Calgary Colts is to learn how to completely utilize his skills as a defensive linebacker, and use that as a stepping stone into higher level football.
“I expect to gain experience at the next level that will bet ter myself and hopefully carry me to play at university level in the future,” Lister says.
As all three players continue on with their passion, each hopes to gain more insight into the game in order to better their individual selves and, ultimately, their team roles.
