They made road trips with 21 players. They had as many as 27 on the roster. In comparison, the St. Vital Mustangs have about 50 players.
There were never excuses. The Dauphin Clippers football team hit the gridiron with a common goal: improve and leave it all on the field. That's exactly what they did.
They opened the season with a 48-0 defeat. They won a game 48-0. They took strides week by week. The season started with players who hadn't played football before. By the end of the season, they were starting.
Nathan Thacker says it was wonderful to see. When describing this year's team, special comes to mind.
"Almost as proud of the group as I am of the coaches," said Thacker. "When you're moulding that many kids to try and get them ready for a game when they're in a collision sport. They're out there and safe in the first place and also able to execute, it's been a wonderful season."
The Clippers finished third in the West Division. The Virden Golden Bears led the way, followed by the Moosomin Generals. Dauphin won three games and lost three. They scored 104 points.
It wasn't all smooth sailing. But the Clippers never gave up. Regardless of the result, they played to the final whistle.
Playing .500 football was a great accomplishment for Thacker.
"When you have this many young guys. We have a handful of Grade 12s, but only one of them was a four-year player," added Thacker. "We've got guys in Grade 12 who are playing their first year of football. To have that many young guys on the team, it bodes well for where we will be in a couple of years."
While the regular season is over, the journey continues. The Clippers enter the consolation playoff bracket. They'll compete for the Murray Black Cup.
The quest for a championship begins at home. The Clippers will host the Neepawa Tigers. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. The Tigers went 2-4 in the East Division. They scored 101 points. They allowed 154 points. Dauphin allowed 121.
Nathan says they're feeling really good heading into the game. And the fact that it's on home turf at the Clipper Dome adds to the good feeling.
"Kids getting the chance to play in front of their family and friends," added Thacker. "If they haven't made to all our home games, it could have been weeks since they watched their kid or friend last. To see what they can do now is a huge thing."
There will also be a canteen and a 50/50.
Nathan admits Neepawa played in a tougher division. He expects the Tigers to come flying out of the gate.
"They're bigger than us. We're not a large group of kids. Our average weight would be well under 200 pounds," said Thacker. "Seeing them on video, they have some bigger boys. I expect them to run the ball against us. We're hoping for some nice weather so we can play a finesse game."
It appears that Nathan will get his wish. The forecast calls for a mix of sun and cloud on Sunday with a high of 11. One spot in the Murray Black Cup Final is on the line. In the other semifinal, the Neelin Spartans challenge the ParkWest Outlaws.
Neelin went 3-3 in the regular season while ParkWest went 1-5.
It's playoff time in the Rural Manitoba Football League, and the Dauphin Clippers are ready.
