Five Yorkton Minor Football players and two coaches were recently in San Antonio, Texas, for action with the Saskatchewan Selects teams attending the Sixth Annual International Pigskin Classic.
Saskatchewan sent Selects teams in four divisions: 10-and-under, 12-and-under, 14-and-under and 16-and-under.
Players from Yorkton Minor Football included: Quarterback Jake Farrell, running back Aiden Leslie, linebacker Owen Watrych, defensive lineman Hayden Russell, and defensive end Fayden Gramyk.
Local coaches involved were Craig Czinkota, defensive line, and Jason Boyda who was the head coach of the U16 Selects.
The Selects squared off with teams from Texas, California, Virginia, Mexico and Manitoba, with games taking place Feb. 23-25.
Boyda said there was a basic try-out held last November in Moose Jaw where the Yorkton players “competed with other players from throughout Saskatchewan.” Five Yorkton players were part of the process, and all were selected for teams headed south.
Czinkota said the experience was good from a coaching perspective because they had a chance to see how Saskatchewan players “stood up against teams from the States.”
Czinkota said the Saskatchewan teams certainly showed they were competitive.
“I know we have a tough brand of football here in Saskatchewan and we showed that,” he said.
There was also a learning curve for the coaches, offered Czinkota.
“I think as a coach you always learn things,” he said, adding it was a case of playing American football in the tournament, not the 12-man game played here in Canada. “We had to adjust to their game.”
Gramyk said as a player on the defensive side of the ball, the American game was not a huge change.
“It didn’t affect my position,” he said.
Leslie agreed the American game was less of an adjustment than many might have expected.
The Selects’ four teams returned home with an overall combined record of 8-4 at the Pigskin Classic.
The weekend was capped off for the Saskatchewan contingent by the 16-and-under Selects capturing their division title with a thrilling 22-19 win over the host Alamo City Red Raiders at Benson Stadium. The 16U Selects went a perfect 2-0 over the course of the weekend to earn the championship.
The 10-and-under Selects also played for a championship dropping a 6-0 decision to the Abilene Hurricanes in the final. The Selects went 2-1 overall in the division.
Watrych, who played for the U10 team also suggested the tournament was an opportunity to gain some added education in the sport.
“It was really good. I learned a lot from all the practices,” he said.
In terms of specifics Watrych said he came to realize how important talking to teammates is.
“Communication is a big thing,” he said, adding that on defence it is a definite key.
The U14 Selects lost in their first game but on day-two won back-to-back games to finish with a 3-1 record overall.
Gramyk was part of the U14 squad. He said the event was certainly an education.
“I learned a lot,” he said. “It was well-organized. It was a good experience with the games.”
Asked how players from Saskatchewan stacked up against the American competition, Gramyk said, “I think we’re pretty competitive,” adding the American players have more experience but Saskatchewan players match up well in terms of strength and toughness.
The 12-and-under Selects ended up losing their final game, falling 26-6 against the San Antonio Southwest Legacy.
The Selects had run away with their opening game beating the San Antonio True Blue, 32-7, then they lost 25-7 to the North Oak Cliff Eagles in their second game.
The 12U Selects finished with a 1-2 record.
Leslie said the experience was ultimately about having fun.
“It was a fun competition,” he said, then adding that it was also an opportunity to learn.
Farrell agreed.
“It was a really great learning experience,” he said, adding he felt the team played well, and had solid results.
