ESTEVAN - Estevan Comprehensive School Elecs football coach Mark Schott was able to find some positives from the team’s season-opening defeat.
The Elecs dropped a 43-0 decision to the Weyburn Comprehensive School Eagles Friday at the Dana Quewezance Memorial Field at Woodlawn Athletic Park.
For most of the team, it was their first game of high school football, as there wasn’t a season last year.
“Despite the score, our defence played a decent game,” said Schott. “We got a lot of good pressure in the backfield, made some good tackles for losses, knocked down some passes.”
On the offensive side of the ball, they struggled to move the ball, despite some excellent blocking from the offensive line. The ECS quarterback was untouched for the entire game, Schott said.
“Over the course of the game, our defence started to wear down,” said Schott.
There was a good crowd in the stands, which was contested under the lights. It was a nice night and fans were excited, Schott said.
“The crowd was really supportive and cheering on our team from start to finish. It was great to see after a year away, and we’re thankful for that support and hope that it continues this season,” said Schott.
ECS boasts 50 players this year. Sixteen are in Grade 9 and 12 are in Grade 10. Some of the Grade 12s haven’t played high school football, either.
Twelve players are back from the 2019 team that won the consolation final of the Moose Jaw High School Football League.
“We have a lot of youth and inexperience, and the only thing that helps us gain experience is getting in these games, and it takes time. We’re taking these small steps, and we’re hoping that those small steps eventually become big steps,” said Schott.
He hopes that the Elecs can, at some point soon, produce some long drives, force turnovers on defence and have big momentum plays.
Weyburn had also played once this season, while the Elecs had a bye in the first week of the season. But Schott believes that having a week to prepare was beneficial for the young squad.
“We were able to get some extra practice time, and really work with our youth and get them up to speed. Obviously, we have more work to do,” said Schott.
The Elecs next game is Sept. 24 against Yorkton.
