The head coach for the Chatham-Kent Cougars Bantam team says they're champions regardless of their loss at the OFC South Division final.
The Cougars lost to the Hamilton Tiger Cats this weekend by one point -- the final score was 21-20.
Despite the initial disappointment the boys had, head coach Cesar Torres says he feels nothing but pride.
"The turn around was amazing," says Torres. "I just told them that even though they lost the game they left that field as champions."
Torres says this has been the best season they've ever had, with the Cougars finishing out the season having only lost two games - both to Hamilton.
Judging by the dedication and skills brought to the field this season, Torres says he sees potential in many of the players.
He says next year's junior varsity team will have a bright future seeing as many of the boys will be leaving Bantam and moving onto high school.
"I'm positive we're going to have a team that compete's for the Ontario title next year at junior varsity," says Torres. "The grade 10's and the grade nines right now are some of the best football players Chatham's ever seen."
As for Bantam's next season, Torres says they're going to take some time to reflect on how they can improve, but with several players planning to return to the club, the future looks bright.
"We're going to see many of these kids have all-star outstanding high school careers," says Torres. "I'm looking forward to the future and watching these young men develop."