An hour and a half of practice time last Tuesday evening translated into 28 points on the scoreboard as the junior Sacred Heart Saints football team beat Esterhazy on home turf the following evening.
Darcy Todos, who's at the helm of the team once again this year is joined by Chad Holinaty, Mike Cristo and Evan Wasylyniuk, couldn't help but be at least slightly impressed at the Saints' effort in their first of three games scheduled for the Sacred Heart field this fall season.
"For the first game, it was a good showing on both sides of the football."
The offence was led by Cameron Peepeetch, Matt Kustra, Brett Kitchen and David Boroto.
Each scored one touchdown.
Todos said he was trying to get his players into different spots on the football field to give them a more rounded approach to the game.
He said that at this point in their football careers, the point of the game is to help them learn the basics rather than teach more complicated running and throwing plays.
He has said several times that it's a developmental game for students as young as Gr. 8-9. About half of the students on the Sacred Heart junior roster still attend various elementary schools in the city."Oh it's fun," says Todos following the win. "It's always fun. A lot of these guys have never played football."
Todos said the "program has fantastic support in accommodating" them.
He said all he needs is a group of players who are dedicated, and adds that this year's junior team definitely seems to be.
"This could have been their very first game," he noted.
"Their understanding will progress."
Kustra and quarterback Tannum Wyonzek both showed potential in their respective positions. "It's more about participation," adds Todos.
This year's players include: Zackery Mysko (S), Cameron Peepeetch (OE), Tannum Wyonzek (QB), Brett Kitchen (RB), Jacob Holinaty (RB), Rawlee Wyatt (CLB), Matt Jendraheski (RB), Garrett Betker (CLB), Nicoli Ochitwa (S), Jaedon Pellatt (OE), Zachary Todos (QB), Montana Balisky (CLB), Audrey Yakiwchuk (S), David Boroto (FB), Matthew Kustra (FB), Clark Basin (FB), Aaron Burback (RB), Brendan Campbell (OE/DE), John Wawryk (DE), Justin Guy (MLB), Jared Buzinski (CLB), Shane Varjassy (S), Jake Perpeluk (C), Daniel McCoshen (NT), Larren Clark (OG), Christian Flaman (DE), Peter Kozushka (C), Matthew Matsinkiw (DE), Landon Hickie (NT), Grayson Neufeld (DE).
The junior Saints next play at Melville Sept. 13, at Esterhazy Sept. 27 and round out the short season with a currently-unscheduled game with Foam Lake, says Todos, before completing the season Oct. 12 at home to the Melville Cobras.
