The second defeat in three games brought out the best in the St. Albert Storm.
The midget spring league team was strong on both sides of the football Tuesday, despite losing 9-7 to the Edmonton Mustangs at Johnny Bright Park.
"It was definitely our team's best effort this year. Our defence and our offence played really well," said Grade 11 linebacker Ryan Shorten. "I was pretty proud of my team. I wasn't really discouraged by the loss at all."
The Mustangs rushed for an unconverted touchdown to open the scoring.
The Storm replied with a Dallas Moroz TD pass to Rocky Borrelli in the second quarter.
The only scoring in the second half was a field goal by the Mustangs in the third quarter.
"Both defences played really well." Shorten said. "It was really anyone's game."
The Storm rose to the challenge defensively in the fourth quarter to keep the Mustangs out of the endzone.
"We held our ground against them pretty good," Shorten said. "I'm just really proud what we brought to the table."
The Mustangs registered 126 rushing yards on 22 carries and completed eight out of 15 passes for 55 yards.
Defensive demon
Shorten, 16, led the defensive charge with nine tackles, three assists and two sacks after missing last week's 35-7 win over the Millwoods Grizzlies with a twisted thumb.
Last year with the Bellerose Bulldogs he was recognized as the senior team's rookie of the year, most outstanding defensive player and the team's most valuable player.
"It was a team pick for team MVP so that meant a lot coming from my team," Shorten said.
The second half in a short spring league season kicked off Friday against the Parkland Predators in St. Albert, but the score was unavailable at press time. In the April 15 league opener Parkland whipped the Storm 56-7.
The regular season in the Tier I and II division wraps up next week. Tuesday the Storm plays the Mustangs at 8:30 p.m. at Clarke Park and Friday they host the Grizzlies at 6:15 p.m. at the Riel Park turf field.
"We've just got to keep working hard in practice. We've got to make things click and produce on the field," Shorten said.
The top two teams meet in the Tier I final and the third and fourth teams compete for Tier II hours on May 12 at Clarke Park.
Last year the Storm finished third at 1-3-1 and in the Tier II final lost 22-9 to Parkland after leading 9-7 at halftime.
It was Shorten's first season on the team of Grade 9, 10 and 11 players from the Bulldogs, Paul Kane Blues, St. Albert High Skyhawks, Ross Sheppard Thunderbirds and the St. Albert Minor Football Association's bantam program.
"I like playing with a bunch of other players from different schools," he said. "You get a different group of people to practice and you also get help from different people."
THIRD DOWN: Shorten is the team leader in tackles with 22 and shares the team lead in sacks with Dean Ciampanelli with three apiece.
Ciampanelli recorded two sacks and Greg Fleming had one sack and five tackles against the Mustangs. Tyler Moroz, Graeme Loerke and Cody Johnston were credited with four tackles. Moroz also recovered a fumble and Garrett Meek blocked two kicks.
Dallas Moroz went the distance at quarterback against the Mustangs and was 7-for-18 passing for 73 yards. He was picked off twice and sacked three times.
Borrelli was the top receiver with three catches for 45 yards.
The Storm rushed for 131 yards on 26 carries, led by Nathan Pytel's 50 yards on five attempts.
