Students weren鈥檛 back in the classroom until yesterday, but the Yorkton Regional High School Raider Gridders have been on the practice field since Aug. 23.
鈥淲e started last Thursday,鈥� said head coach Roby Sharpe, adding 鈥渋t鈥檚 a league rule鈥� in terms of how early a team can start practicing.
With only a few days in the field, Sharpe said he is liking what he has seen so far, starting with the numbers, about 30 players most days.
鈥淏efore school starts that is a really good number for us,鈥� he said, adding traditionally the team picks up another 10 players once school starts.
Looking toward the future, Sharpe added 鈥渢he junior team has about the same numbers.鈥�
The strong junior program is important because it means high school football readies players for Sharpe鈥檚 senior team.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 have too many come to us without experience,鈥� he said.
Speaking of experience, the Raider Gridders return a veteran at quarterback. Jordan Rusnak, the league鈥檚 Most Valuable Player in 2017, is back as a Grade 12.
Sharpe said Rusnak is an example of a player who has developed through the minor football program in the city.
鈥淗e鈥檚 played quarterback since he was eight-years-old,鈥� Sharpe said.
While an experienced pivot is good news for the offence, Sharpe said he expects his defence to be stingy.
鈥淲e graduated a few players, but the guys moving up are just as good,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e going to be a swarming team on defence.鈥�
Still, it takes good play both ways in football.
鈥淚 feel we鈥檒l be really well-rounded. We鈥檝e got really good size, not humongous, but big. And we鈥檒l be fast.鈥�
The season for the Raider Gridders begins Saturday as they travel to Weyburn.
Yorkton鈥檚 first home game will see Central from Moose Jaw visit for the annual 鈥楩riday Night Lights鈥� game Sept. 14.
