It was a real treat to see some Bighorns banging heads in Invermere on Sept. 6. And despite the fact that these Bighorns didn’t really have any horns, the hard contact could be heard from a long way off. Of course, I’m talking about the football team.

As someone who spent many years on a football field as both player and coach, I have to give Coach Bruce Marlow a lot of credit for bringing the sport to town.

It’s a tough enough job to coach young people, but to constantly get them out in the community with various fund-raising projects is beyond the call of duty.

However, I must confess to being disappointed by the ‘game’. 

Football games have officials, including a chain-gang for determining first and 10s, begin with a kick-off and ball possession is only possible by constantly advancing the ball. We saw none of that on Sept. 6. 

Instead, each team seemed to retain the ball for a certain number of plays and the coaches were even on the field. 

What took place was a glorified scrimmage – a practice – and I can’t understand how anybody could possibly call it a game. 

As a learning experience for the boys, it was terrific, probably even better than an official game, but let’s put the correct label on the event.

It was a pleasure to observe the coaches at work. Instead of berating the players as so many so-called coaches do, the players were encouraged as they were corrected.  

And good sportsmanship was displayed by both teams. It wasn’t a ”take-no-prisoners“ encounter like most hockey games. 

When was the last time you saw any hockey player help an opponent up? The Bishop Ghosts even applauded the Bighorns lone touchdown.

It was a great experience for the team, but it certainly could have been more entertaining for the fans. 

Of course, there are obviously some mitigating circumstances. 

Finding decent, let alone willing football officials in the area, is as likely as spotting a crocodile in the lake.  But the lack of any kicking or first downs is puzzling.

Football is a great sport and I’m happy the game has come to town. But, please,  let’s call a spade a spade and not something else. 

And if the correction is made, the Bighorns didn’t really lose a game, because there wasn’t any. That means they are still undefeated. 

Go team!

Bob Hahn,

Invermere