The Yorkton Regional High School Raiders senior football team will not only play in the Moose Jaw High School Football League championship game this weekend, but they鈥檒l be hosting it.
Last Saturday鈥檚 near-freezing temperatures didn鈥檛 pose a problem for the Raiders as they controlled the semi-final game against the Vanier Vikings, coming out with a 59-0 win.听
The game was played at Kinsmen Century Field in Yorkton, and with that win under their belts, they鈥檝e made it to the league championship final for the first time in years.听
The game between the Raiders and the Vikings was a slower start than normal for Yorkton as the Vikings challenged them in the first quarter to get on the scoreboard. But that didn鈥檛 last long after the Raiders found their groove.听
鈥淭hey played us tough at the start,鈥� offered head coach Roby Sharpe. 鈥淚t took us a while to get moving. They came fired up and ready to play.鈥�
鈥淭he score isn鈥檛 really indicative of 鈥� especially the first part of the game. But by half time, we were in control,鈥� Sharpe added.听
By halftime, the Raiders had a 39-0 lead over the Vikings.听
Raiders receiver/safety Matthew Mandziuk agreed with what his coach had to say about their slow start.听
鈥淚 think we could have come out a little bit stronger, obviously. We came out a bit flat, but overall it was a great game, a great feeling,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he team played awesome out there.鈥�
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Raiders vs. Colts
In the other semi-final held last Saturday, the Swift Current Colts took the win in an upset against the Moose Jaw Peacock Tornadoes.
The Raiders are now looking forward to this Saturday鈥檚 game against the Colts. For Mandziuk, and a few other grade 12 players, this game has been a long time coming.
鈥淚鈥檝e been here three years and this is my first time going to the city championship,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he teams we had in grade 10 and 11, we were talented. But we just didn鈥檛 mesh as a team how we do now.鈥�
For the first time, the league championship will be played outside of Moose Jaw.听
Because of the way the league rules are set out, if a team from Moose Jaw is in the championship game 鈥� regardless of ranking 鈥� the game is played in Moose Jaw. But if there is no team from Moose Jaw, as is the case this year, the game will be played in the higher ranked team鈥檚 city.听
The Raiders鈥� flawless season makes them the highest ranked team in the league, so the game is in Yorkton on Saturday.听
Although they鈥檝e beaten the Colts already this season by a score of 65-13, the Raiders are not getting ahead of themselves yet.听
鈥淪wift鈥檚 good. They鈥檝e changed a lot since last time we played them,鈥� said Sharpe. 鈥淭hey were missing some grade twelves, they鈥檝e moved some guys around, they鈥檝e got some studs.鈥�
He said they鈥檙e expecting the Colts to be tough and ready to play on Saturday.听
However, one advantage that the Raiders will have in that match-up will be home turf, which Sharpe said makes a huge difference.听
鈥淚t鈥檚 a huge advantage,鈥� he explained. With family and friends in the stands, a good sleep, and no bus being just a few of the perks.听
Mandziuk said they鈥檙e hoping to see the entire school out there to support them this weekend.
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Going in prepared听
Mandziuk said that for the next few days, football is their primary focus.
鈥淭his week we鈥檙e coming in prepared. Everyone鈥檚 focused on the game right now,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e want a well executed game, and no mistakes.鈥�
The veteran player added that there are some nerves 鈥� as can be expected going into a championship game 鈥� but the team is confident that they鈥檒l be prepared.
Sharpe said he expects to see a lot of the same stuff from his guys in the championship game.听
鈥淥ur guys are so physical. We鈥檙e not that big, but we can hit,鈥� he said. 鈥淥ur guys will be ready. We鈥檙e going to work hard all week, and we鈥檙e not going to take anyone lightly.鈥�
The MJHSFL championship game will be played at Kinsmen Century Field in Yorkton on Satuday, Oct. 28 at 2 p.m. Fans are encouraged to show up and cheer on the Yorkton players as they hope to get their hands on the league trophy.听
