The Central Alberta Buccaneers senior men's football team held their annual Black and Red game in Lacombe May 5. Their AFL regular season opener is May 25 in Calgary against the Wolfpack. (Central Alberta Buccaneers)

By Sheldon Spackman

bucs football

Bucs anticipate defense to be strong for start of AFL season

May 13, 2019 | 10:48 PM

The Central Alberta Buccaneers are on the verge of tackling another Alberta Football League (AFL) season.

Fresh off a successful ‘Bucs Drive to Tackle Hunger’ event held in Lacombe on Saturday, the senior men’s football team is now hoping to build on the accomplishments of last year’s squad with a new head coach in place.

Gary LaGrange says he anticipates the offensive line to either make or break the team this season.

“I think our talent level with the other skill positions is right there, we can compete with anybody,” says LaGrange. “It’s coming out and getting committed so that they can get the reps in practice, but it’s tough. We’re deep in skill positions, but it seems on the O-line we’re lacking a little bit, while the D-line is a little bit reluctant to step up a little bit sometimes.”

gathering this monday at fort normandeau

'What have you done?' Elder asks ahead of Red Deer uniting to remember the children on Sept. 30

Sep 28, 2024

Temps Around 0 degrees Celsius

Frost Advisory issued for Red Deer and surrounding area

Sep 27, 2024

Conditions As Of Sept. 24, 2024

Alberta Crop Report: September 27

Sep 27, 2024

Following the team’s annual Black and Red game held on May 5, LaGrange says the team is currently made up of some young talent, guys in their peak years and veteran experience as well.

“The bulk of our team comes from all aspects of CIS or Junior or just dropped the cleats for a few years and came back,” adds LaGrange. “The defense, they looked like they didn’t miss a beat, they were up and running and ready to go right off the bat and so are the specials, even from last year. So that makes it a little bit easier.”

Like most football teams, LaGrange anticipates the defense to lead the way early, with the offense expected to take over momentum later in the season.

“The talent level at receiver is fairly high if we get everyone out,” says LaGrange. “At quarterback, they’re young and they’re fresh, but they’re eager and passionate. They’re athletes, so it’s just a matter of getting the system down and getting the reps in.”

LaGrange admits, however, the team’s current optimism for the upcoming season is infectious.

“I don’t go in there planning to lose anything,” he declares. “I don’t plan to lose a player, I don’t plan to lose a game, I don’t want to lose a series on the field and I think for the most part, they’re on the same page as I am.”

LaGrange brings extensive experience to the role of head coach for the Buccaneers, coaching locally at the high school level for over two decades (Notre Dame, Hunting Hills and Alix) and before that, playing seven seasons as a linebacker/corner in the AFL with the former Red Deer Sooners, winning three championships.

“It’s come up a lot since I played,” he exclaims. “There’s a lot more sprinkling in of Junior and CIS players and that’s just great for the league. The level of football is significantly higher.”

The Central Alberta Buccaneer’s begin their AFL regular season May 25 in Calgary against the Wolfpack.

The squad’s home opener is June 1 against Fort McMurray at Setters Place in Red Deer.