Source: Todd Lewis
The Central Alberta Buccaneers have been hard at work preparing for the 2016 season after a semi-finals exit last year. With their sights on a National Championship, the pirate crew has put in much effort, both on and off the field. Between numerous community/charity events and pre-season practices since January, the Bucs are poised for success.
“The team’s expectations for 2016 are simple: win the national championship” said 2nd-year Buccaneer, Nick Leonidakis #23. “Our pre-season has gone well; we added a lot of pieces to the team we didn’t have last year. We got a couple bid additions to the offense, which will allow it to compliment our already strong defense.” In 2015, the Bucs had the second-best defense in the AFL in terms of yards-given. This stat does not account for the fact that the pirate D was on the field for the majority of gametime; by having a strong offense that can eat minutes off the clock and score points, the defense will be able to keep its energy and, as a result, further minimize opponent scoring. “This year is the most talented squad I’ve ever been a part of, by far,” said #24 Ryan Miller. “Devo [Coach Devon Hand] has brought in the missing pieces we needed. Now it’s up to us to put in work and get it done.”
May 28th marks the Bucs first game of the 2016 season. The pirates kickoff against long-time rivals, the Grande Prairie Drillers, at Lacombe’s MEGlobal Athletic Park at6pm. In 2015, the Bucs handled the Drillers in Grande Prairie for four quarters, finishing with a 37-16 score. “I feel our offense is going to put up some big numbers. Defensively, I’d like to see us put up some points as well,” said Miller. Earlier in the off-season, the Drillers were in danger of folding due to a lack of numbers on the roster; the Driller management was able to canvass their area and pull in some big talent and numbers. “They [the Drillers] took punches from us last year. I’m sure they’ll be as prepared as us for the game and only one team can come out on top. But my expectation for the game is simple: win,” said Leonidakis.
Leading up to the first week of the off-season, the Bucs were not only in the weight-room and practice-field, but were also busy fundraising and helping out in the community. This includes this includes their annual “Bucs Day to Tackle Hunger” food drive. On May 7th, the crew was able to raise over 2000 pounds of non-perishables for the Lacombe food bank and citizens displaced by the Fort McMurray fires. Additionally, the team helped out with the Ronald McDonald House fundraiser “Capes & Tiaras Party” (players, dressed up as superheros, ran football-related drills for the kids in attendance); they helped a community group clean the shoreline of Pigeon Lake of algae and other pollution, and they read at local kindergarten and grade 1/2 classrooms. “It’s been a busy offseason, but finally it’s time to play some ball!”
For a $5 ticket (kids get in for free), fans can watch the Bucs kickoff their 2016 season against the Drillers, May 28th, 6pm, at MEGlobal Athletic Park in Lacombe. For more details, checkout the team’s facebook page, twitter/instagram (@CABucs), and website www.cabucs.com.
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