Despite preparing for the provincial quarter-finals with Edmonton's green and gold, the Grande Prairie Warriors high school football team weren't able to pull off a win.
"They don't feel like they just made a mistake for themselves. They've let the world down. And you know that's really hard on a 14 or 15 year-old, Grade 10 kid," their coach, Rick Gilson said.
The Warriors have been dealing with the death of four teammates.
Matt Deller, 16, Tanner Hildebrand, 15, Vincent Stover, 16 and Walter Borden-Wilkens, 15, were killed in an alleged drunk driving accident on October 22.
Inspired by their lost friends the players were able to pull off a win against the Peace River Pioneers on November 5, but lost to the Bev Facey Falcons 49-0 Saturday afternoon.
Gilson described the last few weeks as incredible.
"To have had this journey with these young men and they're just an inspiration that's all," he said wiping away tears.
Another teammate, 15-year-old Zach Judd, has been recovering from the collision in an Edmonton hospital.
Just before Saturday's game, the team heard some good news about Judd's progress.
"The other day he put himself up, lifted himself up with his arm," Judd's brother, Louis, told CTV News on Friday, "He got a big smile on his face. He was really happy.
"It's really good just to know he is getting better."
"The score meant nothing to me. I just had fun. Got to play with my family in the stands and my family on the field," he added.
Warrior players meet with the Eskimos at Commonwealth Stadium on Friday afternoon.
Members of the Eskimos said they were happy to offer their support.
"That's what high school football is all about," Aaron Fiacconi explained, "You spend time with each other. You have fun."
The Warriors faced off against the Falcons at Clarke Park in Edmonton on November 12.
The loss wraps up the season for the Grande Prairie team.
With files from Jessica Earle, Amanda Anderson
