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The Olds College Broncos wrapped up a perfect regular season last week, but moments after the final it was already being put into context against what the team’s real goal remains.

With the Alberta Colleges Athletics League finals set for this Thursday and Friday at Canadian University College in Lacombe, coming out with anything but the championship banner would be a huge disappointment to the 11-0 Broncos.

"We’re just going to keep doing what we’re doing and in practices continue going hard and go into CUC looking for victory – first place and nothing else," explained first-year wing and Drumheller native Will Belliveau, who dropped 24 points in the 102-60 win over Prairie on Wednesday night at the CLC health and wellness centre.

While wrapping up the ACAL regular schedule without a loss was important to the team, it was just another goal they set on their way to the league playoffs where they’ll try to avenge last year’s disappointing finish when the Broncos ended up out of the medals.

"When you step into the first day of practice it’s your goal and it’s what you aim for at the end," Belliveau said. "We’re just accomplishing little steps all the way there, but (the title) is the main goal."

In their final game, the Broncos had only six available players with Keith Campbell and James Jackson away for reading break and Travis Nystoruk having rolled his ankle in pregame warm-up. That left the Broncos with fewer bodies than normal, but also a smaller lineup considering they were missing three forwards.

However, coach Bob Murray said everyone is expected back for the league playoffs although the ankle injury to a space-eater like Nystoruk is a bit concerning.

"Outside of that we’re really healthy and body-wise we’re pretty good," Murray explained.

Despite the perfect league record, the coaches believe there is more growth in the team’s game that can be unlocked during practice this week and applied to the semi-final and hopefully league final this week.

"I think even though we had a pretty good regular season we still struggle on a few things defensively," Murray suggested. "Offensively we’re there, but on D there’s still some lapses so we just have to take care of that in the next couple of practices."

Heading into the playoffs this week, the Broncos and host Aurora are considered odds-on favourites to meet for the title. The Broncos will likely meet the winner of the quarterfinal between Millar College and St. Mary’s in the semi-final while the OC 2 team and the Ambrose Lions victor will move on to play the host CUC team.

"All six teams are right there, but obviously everyone looks at us and CUC as the genuine favourites," said Murray, adding they’ll not take any of the opponents for granted.

Women seeded first
The Broncos women will also be the top seeds heading into this week’s action thanks to a strong regular season.

The team finished 9-1 on the season and wrapped things up with a 67-39 win over Prairie in their final regular season thanks to 32 points from Brittany Papenhuyzen. The league playoffs are also being held at CUC despite no women’s team at the Lacombe school.