The Yorkton Regional High School Junior football team is more than a month into their season.
The team plays in the Regina Minor Football League and is made up of students from grades 8, 9 and 10 from the school.
They currently hold a 2-2 record for the season. Their two victories were by 30 points, and their two losses were by less than ten.
“We are looking pretty good,” said head coach Alan Kyle. “But football is one of those games that comes down to a couple of plays. We just have to get a little bit better as the season goes on.”
Kyle mentioned some of his players who have been stepping up this season.
“On offense, Bryant Jones and Dylan Lepowick are both second year guys. They’ve both taken steps forward for us,” he said. “And Carson Sveinbjornson. He’s a big play threat for us all the time.”
“Defensively, Gabe Loster is one of our line backers, Daniel Balysky right in the middle and Tyler Harasymuk is our safety – he’s got a real good sense of the game.”
The Junior Raiders faced a challenge in game two when their quarterback, Connor Watrych, broke two bones in his wrist. Though he pushed through the pain and finished that game, he’s been out ever since. Garion Miller has stepped up to fill the quarterback role in Watrych’s absence.
“[Miller] has played two really awesome games, throwing for almost 300 yards both games,” said Kyle.
Senior player Jevauntae Williams said the team has been training hard, but have some things they can continue to work on.
“In practice, we need to work on team work. If everyone does their job, we’ll win the games,” he said. “These guys are family. The chemistry is good.”
As for the rest of the season, Williams said he’d like to take it all the way.
“I’d like to see my team accomplish going to playoffs, making it to the finals and winning it for everything – for the school.”
Coach Kyle has similar aspirations.
“Last year we made it to the league final, and we finished tied for third,” he said. “We just want to get better every week, I think if we do that then we’ve got a good shot at winning the league title this year.”
The Junior Raiders will be playing at home on Saturday at 11:45 a.m.
