Local football fans were treated to a day of marathon football as the Yorkton Minor Football (YMF) Junior Raiders battled through the third game of the day Saturday afternoon at Kinsmen Century Field as they hosted the Regina Renegades in their season home opener.
At the final whistle, the Junior Raiders managed to hold onto the lead to claim a 14-8 win in the most exciting finish of the current season.
Yorkton opened the game in fine style, running the opening kick-off back for a six point touch down.
The Raiders led 14-0 at the half. The Renegades, who weren't about to give up, scored a two point safety and added a six point major in the final minutes of the game to pull within six points of a possible tie. A two point convert would give them the win as they marched the ball down the field.
An interception in the end zone by Yorkton's Darius Haberstock on the final play of the game, saved the day for the Junior Raiders who went on to claim the win.
Junior Raider coach Lance Stillborn says opening the game with a 70 yard full back dive for six points was a great way to start the game. He also felt the Raider defense played well throughout the whole game, controlling Regina's running game very well.
The offense runs the ball very well but needs to work on the passing game, Stillborn suggests. "Each week we are improving and that's what I like to see," he says.
The Renegades had a couple of mismatches on the Junior Raiders, Still born admits. While they were tough to deal with, the Raiders came up with some great plays late in the game to contain Regina's late rally.
Stillborn says he will work on his team's mental game in preparation for their next contest. He'll work on making sure players know their jobs, containing their opponents, understanding pass coverages. "The guys need to know that when you 100 per cent, 100 per cent of the time, good things will happen. When guys are jogging that's when you see broken plays and whatnot," he states.
Raider DB Grey McKen says the Raider defense stopped the run up the middle, forcing the Renegades to go to the outside. The Raider pass defense was also working, he suggests. "We also got quite a few (quarterback) sacks," McKen notes.
"Whenever they gambled on third down, we stopped them. It was a good game," McKen declares.
Raider's Haberstock says he knew he had to take the ball away from the Regina receiver on the final play of the game. He says it felt really good to get the interception which resulted in the win for Yorkton.
He was instrumental in foiling the pass attempt on the previous play to force the final pass play. A third year player, Haberstock essentially saved the game for the Junior Raiders on the last two plays Saturday afternoon.
