The O'Neil Titans used some trick plays and a polished style to take down the Yorkton Regional High School (YRHS) Senior Raiders at Century Field on Saturday.
While the Raiders were stronger in the last half, stringing together some strong play and bringing in a touchdown in the fourth quarter, it wasn't enough to topple the Titans, who bust out to an early lead and charged to a 30-7 victory.
While coach Roby Sharpe says that the team wasn't outmatched physically, the Titans came out on top due to some fine tuned play.
"They're a very slick team, and they always have been. They're very well coached, they're polished, they've got a lot of older players," says Sharpe.
He credits some of the win to the "tomfoolery" which was employed by the Titans, as they worked to trick the Raiders' defense on several occasions. The biggest of these was a fake field goal attempt early in the first quarter, which lead to a touchdown.
In spite of the loss, Sharpe is proud of the Raiders for being able to compete with a squad considered one of the best in Regina, even if they were undone by some sloppy play, especially in the first half.
"Ten years ago, we were getting our doors blown off by every Regina team. What makes us mad is that we are right there, we could have beat these guys, we're just not over the bar yet," Sharpe says.
The football program might have a bright future, but it's a young squad and there is as much potential as ability this season. A case in point is quarterback Mackenzie Shore, who both made some big mistakes and executed a late game touchdown drive. Sharpe says that due to youth and inexperience, Shore is a work in progress.
"If he can keep working, and keep improving, by grade 12 he's going to be awesome player... He's a grade 10 kid, we don't expect much from him. Obviously, he's good, he would still be on the junior team if he wasn't good, but he's going to be a great player, if he keeps working... We're probably the only team in the league with a grade 10 quarterback," Sharpe says.
There was plenty of strong play in the game. A highlight was Christoph Zawatsky. He got the game helmet for his play during the game, with 62 yards receiving.
The next week will be all about preparation for the Raiders. The league is tight, Sharpe notes, and the plan is to work as hard as possible to come out on top and secure a playoff spot.
"I'm going to work the guys even harder. I don't care if I only have 12 guys, I'm going to work the guys who want to be there," Sharpe states.
The game was also the Terry Fox game, and the team donated a dollar for every yard of offense. Over $200 will be donated to Terry Fox Foundation.
