The Rocky Jr. Rebels peewee football team are league champions after a thrilling 21-14 home victory against the Red Deer Servus Bucks at Curtis Field.

A large crowd of fans showed up for the intense, edge-of-your-seat game on Nov. 1, with cheering so loud it could be heard from across Hwy 11A.

“The energy was amazing, the crowd was fantastic,” says head coach Mike Cochran. “We had a bit of rain before the game, but when we all lined up to sing O Canada, there was a rainbow over the field — we knew it was going to be our day.”

However, the team got off to a slow start, ending the first half down 6-0 to the Bucks.

At half time, Cochran says the team made some adjustments and settled in to a hard-fought second half.

The team scored a touchdown in the third quarter and completed a convert to take the lead. From there, Cochran says it was a thrilling grind to the end with the hometown squad’s character allowing the team to persevere.

“They just didn’t give up, they did their job every single play,” says Cochran. “You could feel it in the air — on the sidelines — the team wanted to get Rocky Mountain House’s name on that trophy for the first time ever, and that’s exactly what they did.”

The team are now the Central Peewee Football League champions for the first time in the trophy’s 20-plus year history.

The Rocky Jr. Rebels peewee football team celebrates a league championship victory Nov. 1 at Curtis Field. (Meghan Mahoney/Rocky Jr. Rebels football)

Cochran says the magical day on the field was thanks to the hard work of volunteers who made it happen. Pre-game activities included a food truck and live DJ.

He adds, an “amazing group of guys” made up an outstanding coaching staff, including Barry Simon, Nic Pearson, Jay Steenbergen, along with manager Kobi Steenbergen.

“It was the greatest coaching experience of my life.”

Despite the win, the team’s season isn’t over yet.

The Peewee Rocky Jr. Rebels are set to take on the West Edmonton Raiders at Clarke Stadium in Edmonton on Nov. 8 at 5 p.m. for the Tier 1 Provincial title.

“This will be the last game of the season for us — it’s for all the marbles for our tier and provincials,” says Cochran.

Kickoff is 5 p.m.