Football season has begun.
The Humboldt Collegiate Institute (HCI) Mohawks nine-man football team started to practise on August 27, a week before school was scheduled to start.
"We are underway," said coach Shaun Gardiner. "We had our first official practice on August 27 and continued (all week). After-school practices will begin on (September 4)."
Gardiner and his fellow coaches are looking forward to the new season.
"I'm always excited, but it is always one of those optimistic feelings that we are going to be a great team but I also know that everything has to fall into place for us to be that way," said Gardiner. "I'm really excited about the season."
He thinks they will have a competitive team again this year.
"We have lots of returning kids from last year that will obviously help our experience," said Gardiner.
There are a lot of new players to the team as well.
"We have some new kids that are coming out that are pretty raw that we will work into the fold pretty quick," said Gardiner.
They only have a week's practice under their belts, but Gardiner is already looking for ways to improve their performance.
"Judging from the previous years, we are probably lacking in depth," said Gardiner. "Our starters are very strong but I think after that we are probably a little inexperienced."
The Mohawks will have to be a strong team in order to stay competitive, said Gardiner.
"We realize there will be a couple teams in our league that will be pretty strong, so we are going to have to play pretty well," said Gardiner.
Although the team is still raw, he is looking forward to a great season.
"We are pretty optimistic and really excited about this group of kids," said Gardiner. "We are always hopeful we are going to have a good season and we are excited about the kids that we have."
He loves the enthusiasm his players bring to the field.
"We are always impressed with their energy and commitment and passion for the game," said Gardiner.
