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Elecs football team ready to start season

The Estevan Comprehensive School Elecs football team is making its final preparations before the start of the 2019 season. The Elecs faced the Weyburn Comprehensive School Eagles on Aug. 30 in an exhibition game at the Woodlawn Athletic Field.
Elecs scrimmage
Lucas Rooks (18) stiff-arms a Weyburn opponent during a scrimmage last week in Estevan.

The Estevan Comprehensive School Elecs football team is making its final preparations before the start of the 2019 season.

The Elecs faced the Weyburn Comprehensive School Eagles on Aug. 30 in an exhibition game at the Woodlawn Athletic Field.

The Elecs had the only touchdown of the game, but the game was more about getting ready for the season than the score.

The teams had several possessions of 10 plays each to advance the ball. Even if there was a touchdown or a turnover on the possession, the drive continued until the last of the 10 plays was finished. 

Coach Mark Schott said the Elecs moved their feet well and executed the plays.

“It was the first time we lined up against an opponent in a full-contact scrimmage type of scenario. There’s always going to be mistakes, but we’re really happy.”

The Elecs had six different personnel groupings that they rolled out onto the field for offence and defence, giving them a chance to see what players can do in a game situation.

“We have a lot of new faces on the team this year, and you can learn a lot from practice and what they do within a drill, but a game-like scenario where the player has to think for themselves, and read and adjust on the fly is a more authentic representation of what that player can do,” said Schott.

Several pleasant surprises emerged during the game, he said, and the coaches have a better idea of where the players fit into the team.

The Elecs surrendered a few interceptions, but they forced a couple of turnovers on defence.

“I think both teams would readily admit … that it’s early, and there’s definitely some kinks they want to work out, and it’s better to work those out in a no-pressure scrimmage situation than it is just going in Week 1 during the regular season.”

There were some other differences from a typical football game. Quarterbacks wore no-contact jerseys, and special teams units were not incorporated into the game. Coaches were on the field for the plays.

The scrimmage took place after the Elecs fall training camp. Schott said they had really strong numbers this year, with more than 40 players, and the players are energetic, athletic and eager to learn.

“As a coach, that’s what you want out of your group. We’ve had a really intense and up-tempo fall camp, and I think that factored in the scrimmage.”

The Elecs will start their season on Sept. 7 with a home game against Moose Jaw Peacock, starting at 1 p.m. They have been working on special teams, and on the tempo, speed and execution of the offence.

Schott said the team is still accepting players, and they usually get a handful of players once the school year begins.