The Yorkton Minor Football Atom Gridders football team wrapped up their regular season on Saturday, September 20 in impressive fashion, handing the Regina Cardinals a painful 53-14 defeat at Leibel Field in Regina.
The win, the sixth in a row for the Gridders, gives the Atom club its first ever undefeated regular season in Regina Minor Football action and ensures them a spot in Sunday's RMF Atom Division championship against the only other undefeated team in Atom football, the Balgonie Atom Griffins North.
Garrett Ellis led the Gridders offensive explosion against the Cardinals on Saturday, scampering for two rushing touchdowns in the game while Dreyden Chyz, Brady Bjornerud, Kaden Fedak and quarterback Jaxon Boyda all found the end zone once on the ground.
The young Yorkton pivot also hit receiver Justin Adam for an aerial touchdown, while defensive dynamo Mason Lammers also found the scoreboard when he stripped the Regina running back of the football, recovered the fumble and ran it into the end zone for the lone defensive score of the game.
On the defensive side of things the ferocious foursome of Lammers, Kenten Effa, John Stoll and Jake Farrell kept the Cardinals offence at bay all game long, limiting the Regina offence to just 14 points; their second lowest total of the season.
Atom Gridders head coach Jason Boyda felt the key to the big win was to knock the wind out of the Cardinals early on; something they did with a 70-yard touchdown run by Dreyden Chyz. "The first offensive play we went with our go-to play with Dreyden Chyz and he took it 70-yards for a touchdown," said Boyda. "I think he maybe broke one tackle and then after that he was in the end zone.
"Our offensive line and our fullback did an awesome job of blocking up front."
Unfortunately for the Atom Gridders Chyz had to leave the game after injuring his foot on the play. But when one falls another rises to the occasion. Last game it was John Cookson, this time it was Bjornerud. "Brady Bjornerud had an outstanding game running the ball for us offensively," offered the Atom Gridders bench boss in a phone interview on Monday evening. "He definitely played one of his best games of the season."
Two other players that Boyda felt performed well were Garrett Ellis with his two touchdowns and defensive linewoman Shae-Lynn Pelletier. "Shae-Lynn once again did a great job of making holes for our running backs and also giving out quarterback time to throw the ball," noted Boyda, adding, "she's a fantastic offensive line player."
Championship game
For the first time in history the City of Yorkton will host a Regina Minor Football championship game as the Yorkton Atom Gridders get set to welcome the Balgonie Atom Griffins North to town.
The Atom championship game is currently scheduled for 11:00a.m., however that might be changed as Boyda is lobbying the RMF brass for a night game on Sunday, September 28 where the two teams would play under the lights at Yorkton's Century Field. "With this being the first time Yorkton is hosting a championship game, we decided to try to make a big deal out of it," said Boyda. "We're trying to get the game to start on Sunday night at 7:00p.m. under the lights. Right now it's scheduled for 11:00a.m. with the peewees and bantams playing after, but we're hoping to change our game to 7:00p.m. under the lights."
Both teams finished tied atop the RMF Atom Division with identical 6-0 records, however Balgonie surrendered less points than Yorkton did throughout the season, outscoring their opponents 200-25 over six games while Yorkton surrendered more points but put up five more as well, outscoring their opponents 205-40.
Yorkton also had an easier schedule throughout the regular season with the combined record of their opponents being below .500 at 14-21-1 while Balgonie's opponents posted a respectable 16-16-4 combined record.
YMF results
The Atom Gridders weren't the only Yorkton Minor Football team in action last Saturday.
The Peewee Gridders kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a hard fought 8-6 victory over the Balgonie South Peewee Griffins thanks to a Dylan Lepowick rushing touchdown and a two point conversion kick.
The win boosts the Peewee Gridders record to 2-4 with two games remaining in the RMF Peewee Division.
The YRHS Junior Raiders were also in action on Saturday as they took on the host Regina Stampeders under the lights at Leibel Field.
The Junior Raiders dropped a close 20-14 game despite two rushing touchdowns by Raiders quarterback Matthew Balysky to lower their record to 3-2 on the season with both losses coming under the lights.
The next action for the YRHS Junior Raiders is tonight when they travel to Regina to battle the Lakers (3-2) with their third game under the lights.
The next home action for both the Peewee Gridders (2-4) and the YRHS Junior Raiders (3-2) will be this Sunday. The Peewees will be in action against the visiting Regina Argos (2-3) at 12:45p.m. while the Junior Raiders will have their hands full when take on the league leading Regina Sundevils (6-0) starting at 4:00p.m.
