It was another unique championship final weekend for Cloverdale minor football.
Once again, the Cloverdale Community Football Association (CCFA) sent four teams into championship games with the possibility of only three taking home banners.
“We did well at the B.C. championship games,” said Yeera Sami, CCFA president. “Some surprises though … after the VMFL finals.”
Sami oversaw the unique feat of having two CCFA teams playing each other in the Vancouver Mainland Football League (VMFL) championships, held at South Surrey Athletic Park Nov. 17. Both his Atom Lions and Atom Tigers played each other in the final, with the Tigers coming out on top 8-6. Sami also sent his Junior Bantam Cougars and Peewee Bobcats into the VMFL finals that weekend, with both teams winning and all three advancing to the provincial finals in Langford.
At the time, Sami thought it was a first for any community football club in B.C. to send two club teams matched up in a divisional final. But last week Sami got to enjoy another unique feat: having two club teams face each other in provincials—which he believes is also a first—once again involving his Atom Lions and Tigers.
“Never say Never,” Sami told the Cloverdale Reporter.
Sami explained that a couple days before provincial finals were set to be played, the B.C. Provincial Football Association called him. BCPFA let him know the Kelowna Minor Football Association had pulled their Atom team out of provincials, opening up a pathway for his Atom Lions to get a shot at redemption and for Cloverdale to once again write their name in the record books.
“The team accepted the offer and quickly put together a team and left Friday morning for the championship game,” Sami explained. "A few coaches couldn't make it though and two players couldn't make it."
He said despite not having any time to prepare for the final, the Lions did well.
“Both our teams played an excellent game with the Tigers winning the 2024 provincial championship 22-0.”
And while his Atom Lions didn’t win in their Cinderella moment, Sami said he was still happy his squad could play in the final. He said he was very proud of both CCFA teams and thankful that so many kids from Cloverdale could get to experience a provincial championship game.
“Outstanding players in the game were Jaxson Shandil for the Tigers and Taylor Sapinsky for the Lions,” Sami added. “Both were selected MVP for their teams as well.”
Along with the two Atom squads, the Peewee Bobcats and the Junior Bantam Cougars also competed in provincials after both teams ran over their competition in the VMFL finals.
The Peewee Bobcats finished their season like they started it: with a win. They won the championship 34-13 over Kelowna.
“The Bobcats were firing on all cylinders, took full control of the game, and won the provincial championship with an undefeated record of 13-0 for the season,” Sami noted. “Ryson Lopez was chosen game MVP and Trey Dunn was chosen for the most sportsmanlike award.”
As for the Junior Bantam Cougars, it just wasn’t their day. The team was unable to cap off a perfect season. Sami said despite losing to the Westshore Warriors in the final, the squad has a lot to be proud of.
“Unfortunately, for our Cougars their undefeated record came to an end when they faced a very good team with size and aggressiveness on the line,” he explained. “It was still a very close, entertaining game to the end.”
The Cougars lost by nine points, 30-21, but the game was closer than the scoreline. It was only 23-21 for the Warriors with a minute left, when they added a late touchdown.
“Cougars’ star, speedy running back Shaan Patel, won the game MVP,” Sami added. “He scored two TDs for the Cougars.”
