The Yorkton Regional High School Raiders senior football team will not only play in the Moose Jaw High School Football League championship game this weekend, but they’ll be hosting it.
Last Saturday’s near-freezing temperatures didn’t pose a problem for the Raiders as they controlled the semi-final game against the Vanier Vikings, coming out with a 59-0 win.
The game was played at Kinsmen Century Field in Yorkton, and with that win under their belts, they’ve made it to the league championship final for the first time in years.
The game between the Raiders and the Vikings was a slower start than normal for Yorkton as the Vikings challenged them in the first quarter to get on the scoreboard. But that didn’t last long after the Raiders found their groove.
“They played us tough at the start,” offered head coach Roby Sharpe. “It took us a while to get moving. They came fired up and ready to play.”
“The score isn’t really indicative of – especially the first part of the game. But by half time, we were in control,” Sharpe added.
By halftime, the Raiders had a 39-0 lead over the Vikings.
Raiders receiver/safety Matthew Mandziuk agreed with what his coach had to say about their slow start.
“I think we could have come out a little bit stronger, obviously. We came out a bit flat, but overall it was a great game, a great feeling,” he said. “The team played awesome out there.”
Raiders vs. Colts
In the other semi-final held last Saturday, the Swift Current Colts took the win in an upset against the Moose Jaw Peacock Tornadoes.
The Raiders are now looking forward to this Saturday’s game against the Colts. For Mandziuk, and a few other grade 12 players, this game has been a long time coming.
“I’ve been here three years and this is my first time going to the city championship,” he said. “The teams we had in grade 10 and 11, we were talented. But we just didn’t mesh as a team how we do now.”
For the first time, the league championship will be played outside of Moose Jaw.
Because of the way the league rules are set out, if a team from Moose Jaw is in the championship game – regardless of ranking – the game is played in Moose Jaw. But if there is no team from Moose Jaw, as is the case this year, the game will be played in the higher ranked team’s city.
The Raiders’ flawless season makes them the highest ranked team in the league, so the game is in Yorkton on Saturday.
Although they’ve beaten the Colts already this season by a score of 65-13, the Raiders are not getting ahead of themselves yet.
“Swift’s good. They’ve changed a lot since last time we played them,” said Sharpe. “They were missing some grade twelves, they’ve moved some guys around, they’ve got some studs.”
He said they’re expecting the Colts to be tough and ready to play on Saturday.
However, one advantage that the Raiders will have in that match-up will be home turf, which Sharpe said makes a huge difference.
“It’s a huge advantage,” he explained. With family and friends in the stands, a good sleep, and no bus being just a few of the perks.
Mandziuk said they’re hoping to see the entire school out there to support them this weekend.
Going in prepared
Mandziuk said that for the next few days, football is their primary focus.
“This week we’re coming in prepared. Everyone’s focused on the game right now,” he said. “We want a well executed game, and no mistakes.”
The veteran player added that there are some nerves – as can be expected going into a championship game – but the team is confident that they’ll be prepared.
Sharpe said he expects to see a lot of the same stuff from his guys in the championship game.
“Our guys are so physical. We’re not that big, but we can hit,” he said. “Our guys will be ready. We’re going to work hard all week, and we’re not going to take anyone lightly.”
The MJHSFL championship game will be played at Kinsmen Century Field in Yorkton on Satuday, Oct. 28 at 2 p.m. Fans are encouraged to show up and cheer on the Yorkton players as they hope to get their hands on the league trophy.
