The Kate Andrews Pride kick started the high school football season Saturday with a jamboree in Claresholm.
The Pride took on Canmore, Willow Creek and Sherwood Park in pre-season action.
“I was very impressed how our defense stopped the ball and adjusted, our players did great. I think we all had a lot of fun. We made mistakes, we learned from them, that was our goal this weekend,” said Coach Blair Takahashi.
The team was able to put all four of its quarterbacks, including senior Ryan Wakeman, senior rookie Wellesley Brass, Grade 10 Jordan Clark and rookie Grade 10 Aaron Tilson, into action for a great afternoon of football.
Takahashi said the offensive line held up, giving the QBs lots of time to read the defense. On the line for the Pride is two-time Lineman of the Year for the Southern Alberta High School Football League Ryan Horwood, now in Grade 12, and recent Southern Alberta Summer Games captain Cody Wiebe, a Grade 10 player.
The coach said Cody Young, holding down the duties of centre, was very reliable snapping the ball. There were also three rookies who did a great job of anchoring the line with senior Shane Janzen and Grade 10 players Matt Clark and Drake Bellhumer.
The Pride also have a great mix of running backs anchored by senior Colton Higgins along with a great rotation of wide receivers and slot backs lead by senior Stuart Smith.
“We’re young, enthusiastic and we have a lot of experience too,” Takahashi said of the overall look of this year’s team.
With a number of Grade 10 players coming up to the team from the Coaldale Bears program, they may be rookies on the high school squad but they know the game.
“I’ve got a big roster.”
There are currently 30 players on the team with only six returning from last season. The coach said as much as the team looks like it is in a rebuilding year on paper the program is already in place with the younger players.
He said the Grade 10s coming in to the program have a strong desire to play, enthusiasm and are already good athletes. They are also committed players with a desire to play their best.
“We can’t teach heart, we teach skill. It’s heart and soul that drivers the sport.”
With a strong receiving core Takahashi expects the Pride will be more of a passing team this year. With a new NCAA size football in play the players will all have to make adjustments to their game to handle a ball that is an inch smaller around and an inch longer.
“Which I believe makes it easier to pass. The quarterbacks should have a fun year.”
The change was made this year so all of the high school teams would be using the same size football.
Takahashi is joined on the sidelines this year by Nick Straat as offensive co-ordinator, Jake Lewis as running back coach, Tyler Maerz as quarterback coach, Ed Montycka as linebacker coach and Jeff Bennett as defensive co-ordinator.
Coaldale’s next match up is against LCI’s JV team on Wednesday, Sept. 8 with the first league game set for Friday, Sept. 17 against the Pride’s Pincher Creek rivals. All of the Kate Andrews home games are played at the University of Lethbridge field.