Regina's North Central football team a diverse brotherhood
It wasn't a championship. But it was the next best thing for Regina's North Central Lakers football team. For the first time in their eight year existence, the team played in the city final.
On Thursday night, they lost to the Renegades, 38-26, in the Regina Minor Football Bantam final.
"It wasn't our night but hopefully this is not our last time here," said coach Brandon Brooks.
When the Lakers were created in 2006, they didn't win a single game the first season. They've been building the program ever since. The league recently expanded the boundaries and this year's team includes players from the south end of the city as well. Brooks said that has been a positive experience for the entire squad.
Diverse team is a 'family'
That bond can be seen with two teammates, Luke Harasen and Trynell Johnson. Harasen, 14, lives in the city's south end, Johnson in north central. The have become close friends. But the team's harmony didn't happen immediately.
"We all started getting a mixture of emotions when we first met, some of them were fighting at the beginning," Johnson said. "Then we all progressed to get better and have a better relationship and this end game has really brought us closer."
"It's been a great experience," said Harasen. "We've got something special here. We really feel like a family. Everyone is so close we're all like brothers to each other."
Their coach agrees.
"I've got guys from all across north central of different ethnicities. And you know what we're a beautiful team," Brooks said.
The Lakers may have lost the final. But Brooks said the team accomplished something else.
"This team is about different guys coming from different parts of the city and establishing a brotherhood. That's what we accomplished this year more than anything, even if we didn't get a chance to win a trophy," said Brooks
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