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Football Elecs looking to make some noise

With most of their team back and one of the biggest squads they've ever fielded, the Estevan Comprehensive School Elecs football team is looking to do some damage this year.
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Elecs kicker Prestin Bergen boots a field goal during training camp on Friday at Estevan Comprehensive School.


With most of their team back and one of the biggest squads they've ever fielded, the Estevan Comprehensive School Elecs football team is looking to do some damage this year.

The Elecs began training camp last week in preparation for Saturday's road opener against the Yorkton Raiders.

Although the number of players coming out peaked in the low 30s, which is less than the near 40 the team had at spring camp, there is reason for optimism.

"There's a lot going on right now. It's the end of summer and a long weekend this weekend, so we're hopeful that once school starts up we'll get a few more kids, whether it's from ECS or our co-operating schools, and we'll get those numbers where we want to be, ideally in that mid-40s range," said Elecs head coach Mark Schott.

There are also some players who have decided not to return, with a notable example being experienced running back Kaleb Memory.

The Elecs have done a lot in a week of training camp.

"We always focus on basic fundamentals for each position. That's an emphasis that we address throughout the entire season, right from Day 1," Schott said. "Basic form tackling, positional fundamentals for linemen, ball handling, ball possession fundamentals for offensive backs and receivers. We don't have a lot of time between when we start and when we play, so we've done a lot of system installation and made some tweaks to our offensive and defensive systems from last year to this year. It takes a little time for some of the guys to understand what we're trying to do and the changes that we've made."

Returnees Kyle Seipp (defensive line) and Mitchel Clark (safety) are taking a shot at the quarterback positions, and bantam Steelers pivot Andrew Keller was also expected to try out.

"Our quarterback position, although inexperienced, both Seipp and Clark have looked great in camp. They're both big, athletic guys that are really smart and have good sports sense, so we're confident that they can pick it up quickly and be a good asset for us," Schott said.

"We have lots of really good players coming back from last year's team. Our O-line is huge. Ryan Eggen, Colten Brokenshire, guys like that who really stood out for us last year, it's great to have them coming back."

There is also a promising group of newcomers, including running back Levi Pick, who starred in minor football.

"He's going to be an excellent player for us out there on the field. Some of the young guys coming up were bantam-eligible, but for various reasons are playing up with us, with no bantam team this year. They definitely haven't looked out of place, so it's encouraging to have that type of depth across different ages of the players," Schott said.

They say the game is won in the trenches on the offensive and defensive lines, and Schott said that area should be an asset this year.

"Size on our line, for a change, will be a nice strength for us. So we're hoping that with our size, we also have a good mix of athleticism in there, some big bodies that can move, which is key for O and D-line.

"Our depth should be a strength for us this year, the ability to rotate guys through and hopefully have true special teams to keep our O and D starters fresh throughout the course of the game. It would be a huge thing for us if we can do that. Hopefully that translates into our guys remaining fresh and having more energy in that fourth quarter and toward the end of the game."

After winning a game last year and nearly winning another in a classic against Central, Schott believes this team can make some noise.

"On paper, this is probably the best team the Elecs have had. But nothing comes easy. We definitely have a lot of work to do, even with the vast majority of our team from last year returning, because everybody's good in our league. But we sure hope that our experience, our size and our athleticism can lead us to better results this year."