Head coach Curt Hundeby talks to his St. Mary Marauders senior football team after the final practice of the season, Thursday morning at the Alfred Jenkins Field House. (Jeff D'Andrea/paNOW Staff)

By Jeff D'Andrea

Marauders Football

Marauders overcoming off-field obstacles on way to Tier II finals

Oct 31, 2019 | 3:04 PM

There’s just one game left this season for the St. Mary Marauders senior football team, the Tier II finals on Friday against the Aden Bowman Bears at 5 p.m. in Saskatoon.

After the Marauders closed out their last practice of the season, early on Thursday morning at the Alfred Jenkins Field House, head coach Curt Hundeby had time to reflect on the year.

The first thing that came to mind was the toughness they’ve shown throughout the season, both on and off the field.

“They’re a resilient bunch. The amount of tragedies that we’ve had with some of these kids’ families and how they come to practice and just work and battle, it’s amazing,” Marauders head coach Curt Hundeby said. “It’s a long list. We’ve had relatives pass away, we’ve had car accidents, we’ve had strokes, we’ve had all sorts of stuff. But these kids have risen and just bonded. This is one of the best groups I’ve ever had and I couldn’t be happier with the opportunity we have tomorrow.”

The Marauders have been able to deal with everything that’s come their way, in large part because they’ve dealt with it together.

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“It’s really a brotherhood, it’s more than just football. It’s awesome,” rookie running back Seth LeMoal said.

The Marauders have faced the Bears already this season, but that was all the way back in Week one.

The Bears won the opening weekend matchup 42-24 Sept. 6 at Max Clunie Field. Although both teams have evolved a lot since then, Hundeby still looked at the game tape.

The Marauders were down 14-0 within the first four minutes of the game, and Hundeby said his club made three mistakes which resulted in three Bears’ touchdowns. Much has changed with both teams since then, but Hundeby knows enough about the Bears to recognize it’s going to be a gridiron war.

“We know it’s going to be a real battle,” Hundeby said. “But we really think that the stuff that we’re bringing to this game, the kids we’re bringing and the resolve—if we play like we’re practicing and if we play like we have the last couple weeks, I think we’ll be in real good shape. I really do.”

But as excited as the team is for the chance at the Tier II finals against the Bears, Hundeby can’t help but think about that the season will be ending by Friday night.

“I’m going to miss them. I’m already starting to miss them,” Hundeby said. “I know I’ll still see them at school, but as far as this team being a team, we’ve got about 36 more hours before the graduating Grade 12’s are alumni, all the young guys start thinking about next year and the Grade 12’s start thinking about post-secondary and things change. I’m really happy with this group.”

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Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW