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Elecs football preparing for upcoming season

The Estevan Comprehensive School Elecs football team has a strong contingent of players for the upcoming season, but head coach Mark Schott would like to have a few more.

The Estevan Comprehensive School Elecs football team has a strong contingent of players for the upcoming season, but head coach Mark Schott would like to have a few more.

In an interview with the Mercury on Monday afternoon, Schott said they had close to 50 players committed to play for the team this year. A lot of players are eligible to return from last year’s team.

“We had a really good spring camp in June, with a strong turnout,” said Schott.

The team’s equipment handout is Aug. 21, starting at 3 p.m., and then practices start the following day at 4 p.m.

Since spring camp, he has had a few players approach him to say they want to play, but couldn’t make it to spring camp.

Schott can’t remember the last time they had this many players registered before the start of the season.

“We’ve added players in the past to get up to around that 40-player mark, and then there was a year in which with the timing of the bantam season ending, there were a number of players that were able to come up and join our team to put us at 50.”

Also bolstering their numbers is that for the first time, anyone in high school has to play with the Elecs. Previously, Grade 9s and even some Grade 10s could have played bantam football.

“There’s a lot we can do at practice if we have more players at practice, so we’re looking forward to have that opportunity to have more bodies on the team.”

But they’re always looking to add players. A football team needs depth due to the injuries it incurs over the course of the season.

“Over the years, we’ve always been looking for some of the bigger bodies to come in and play offensive and defensive line, that’s among the more physically demanding positions to play.”

There is some strong depth coming up through Penta Completions Estevan Minor Football, and Schott is looking forward to seeing what Kaleb Bechtold can do for a full year at quarterback.

“He was very promising at what he showed us last year before he got injured,” said Schott.

The Elecs also have agreements with Lampman School, Midale Central School and Oxbow Prairie Horizons School, so that anybody who attends those schools and wants to play football can join the Elecs.

Schott emphasized that football for everyone, regardless of gender or experience. He pointed that Shanelle Rioux is a “phenomenal” female football player going into Grade 12, and they welcome all players who might be interested in joining the team. 

A controlled scrimmage will be held against the Weyburn Comprehensive School Eagles on Aug. 30. Schott compared it to a preseason game, but there’s no special teams, and coaches are allowed in the huddles.

“Each team gets 40 or 50 offensive plays, and it’s a good opportunity to cycle players through, and have them try some different positions.”

Their first game is Sept. 7 against the Moose Jaw Peacock Tornadoes.