The Yorkton Raiders are champions at last.
On Satuday afternoon, the Yorkton Regional High School boys football team became the 2017 champions of the Moose Jaw High School Football League after defeating the Swift Current Colts 59-2.
The game was played at Kinsmen Century field, and it marked the first time in history that the league championship has been played in Yorkton.
鈥淲ords can鈥檛 explain it, because we鈥檝e been here three times and we鈥檝e lost three times,鈥� said Raiders offensive coordinator Jason Boyda, referring to times in the past when the Raiders have made it to the league final. 鈥淚鈥檓 on cloud nine. I have to pinch myself 鈥� I can鈥檛 believe this is happening.
The Raiders had another game full of everything that football has to offer: acrobatic catches, soaring passes, sacks, tackles and touchdowns.
The tone of the game was set early in the first quarter, when quarterback Jordin Rusnack connected perfectly with receiver Matthew Mandziuk, who scored the first touchdown less than two minutes into play.
By halftime the score was 47-2.
The second half started much like the first, with a quick touchdown for Yorkton. By the end of the game, Raiders' star players were resting on the sidelines while their younger players got a taste of competing in a championship game.
The Raiders, who went undefeated in the regular and post season, have now scored a total of 440 points in eight games, and have allowed only 27 points against. The stat grows more and more impressive with every game they play.
But with league MVP Jordin Rusnack as their quarterback, it isn鈥檛 so shocking.
After Saturday鈥檚 game, Rusnack said the win felt amazing.
鈥淚鈥檝e never experienced this. It鈥檚 my first championship win in football and it feels really good,鈥� the quarterback said. Rusnack also humbly credited his teammates for the incredible season they鈥檝e had so far.
It鈥檚 the first Moose Jaw High School Football League championship for every player on this Raiders squad. Senior player Matthew Mandziuk said it鈥檚 about time.
鈥淭his is my third year in the MJHSFL and it means so much to me,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great feeling.鈥�
A tearful and proud Roby Sharpe, who has been the Raiders head coach for 18 years, was beaming with a gold medal around his neck after Saturday's game.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been a long haul, and I feel pretty awesome,鈥� Sharpe said. 鈥淭hese guys were part of our first atom program. We have Jordin and Matthew, and you see how they throw the ball and pass to each other. I saw them as little kids. I鈥檓 very proud of them. It鈥檚 a big day.鈥�
Fans from both Yorkton and Swift Current flooded Century Field to take in the game. Rusnack said playing on home turf in front of fans, friends and family made the championship win that much more exciting for them.
鈥淭hey cheered loud, they helped us out, and it motivates you to do better when more people are supporting you,鈥� he said
The championship celebrations will be short lived, as the Raiders鈥� season is not over yet. Next week, they鈥檒l go on to play against the winner of Regina's 3A league, as the road to the provincial championships continues. The winner of that game will then move on to play the winner of the Saskatoon league for the provincial title.
Rusnack said there are some 鈥� but not many 鈥� nerves going into the next game, which will be on Saturday in Regina.
鈥淥ur league is filled with competition, so if you make it out of this league you have a really good chance at beating Regina or Saskatoon teams. We鈥檙e going to go hard this week and prepare well,鈥� he said.
Sharpe said winning the next one won鈥檛 be as easy as their season has been so far.
鈥淲e reload Monday and get back to work,鈥� said Sharpe. 鈥淭here鈥檚 no bad teams left 鈥� there鈥檚 no easy roads.鈥澛�
