The stands were packed at the Drumheller Valley Secondary School football field, the Friday night lights were shining bright, and Drumheller’s youngest football team took to the field for their first home game ever.
    The Drumheller PeeWee Terrapins had their home opener on Friday, September 13, and though they lost 63-0 to the Red Deer Steelers, they were excited to finally get the chance to play in front of a home crowd.
    “It was an exciting game. A lot of people turned up and there was a great atmosphere,” said head coach Cory Miles.
    The game started in the Steelers favour when they returned the opening kick off for a touchdown. From there, the Steelers built upon their lead.
    “They’re a phenomenal team. They have an Atom program, so some of those kids have been playing football for four years and ours only four weeks,” said Miles.
    By the fourth quarter the Terrapins were down, but began making some big tackles and first downs.
    “It was tough for the first three touchdowns, then after that, they realized they had lost the game and just went out to have fun,” said Miles.
    “In the fourth quarter they started playing better, because they weren’t worried about the score. We hit them, stopped them a few times, and got some first downs. Our goal going into the game was to get some first downs and stop them. As coaches, we were happy, because we made progress.”
    The Terrapins return to the home field on Saturday for a rematch against Cochrane, who had defeated the Terrapins two weeks ago.
    “They’re going to see a different team, because we have developed since the last time we played them,” said Miles.

The Drumheller Terrapins made their first appearance at home on Friday, September 13, under the lights of the Drumheller Valley Secondary School field. The Terrapins lost 63-0 to the Red Deer Steelers, but were cheered on by a strong contingent of parents and football fans. The Terrapins play again at home on Saturday, September 21.

    The Drumheller Terrapins took to the field for the first time, and what the scoreboard didn’t show, was it was a victory in itself.

The Drumheller Terrapins debuted last Saturday versus Cochrane. The team’s home opener is tonight at DVSS field, game time 7 p.m.

    The dream of a  peewee football team in Drumheller has been a long time coming, and it was realized this year. Last Saturday they were in Cochrane to line up on the grid iron.
    “It was great, we got out there and we got to play,” said coach Cory Miles of the soggy Saturday game. “Everyone out there had a big smile on their face, because it was pouring rain and they were all muddy… the new jerseys got broken in.”
    Coach Miles explained they were in tough shape going in to the game. He had heard from Cochrane’s  coach before the game and learned they did not have enough players. They agreed to staging the game with Cochrane using a few bantam players, so long as the action on the field remained safe.
    “It was a very good experience,” said Miles. “We were loud and proud.”
    While Cochrane ran away with a 36-0 win, Miles says the team was not disheartened.
    “I didn’t let on we were playing bantam players until about the third quarter. I told them that actually no peewees scored any points on them,” said Miles.
    Throughout the game the Terrapins continued to improve and learn their roles on  the field.
    “They started out a little shaky, a few players forgot their positions, but by the third quarter we were looking a like a good football team out there,” said Miles adding they were missing about six of their 25 players due to other commitments.
    The team is hosting its home opener tonight (Friday, September 13) under Friday night lights at 7 p.m. They are playing the Red Deer Steelers, another strong team.
    “We’re going  to be in a battle again, but we should have our whole team which should help,” said Miles.
    This season the Terrapins are were not able to join a league, so the will be playing in exhibition matches.