High school action
The metro Edmonton high school football season kicks off Thursday for the St. Albert High Skyhawks and Paul Kane Blues in the division two Miles conference.The Skyhawks host the M.E. Lazerte Voyageurs at 5 p.m. at Larry Olexiuk Field and Paul Kane tackles the McNally Tigers at 7:30 p.m. at Emerald Hills.
Friday’s division one Carr conference opener between the Bellerose Bulldogs and Ross Sheppard Thunderbirds starts at 5 p.m. in St. Albert.
The first-year Sturgeon Spirits in the division three Gilfillan conference huddles up in Wednesday’s exhibition against the Eastglen Blue Devils at Emerald Hills and the first regular-season game is Sept. 13 against the Ardrossan Bisons in St. Albert. Game times are 7:30 p.m.
Riders romping
The peewee St. Albert Riders are winners of two in a row after rolling over the Sherwood Park Rams by 41 points in the Capital District Minor Football Association.A dominating defence with pressure up front highlighted last weekend’s shutout victory in Fort Saskatchewan.
In the fourth quarter, a key tackle by Ryker Latimer prevented the Rams from scoring on third down.
The third scoring drive by the Riders was set up by Jayden Teulier’s fumble recovery as quarterback James Hill hooked up with Josh Mah on a 22-yard touchdown strike.
Mah, Cohen Bernas and Braxton Turner also contributed to the defensive charge after the Riders held the Millwoods Grizzlies to one TD on the last play of the game in the 38-6 season-opener in the Susan Morgan division.
Last year, Millwoods beat the Riders 34-29 in the Tier II CDMFA final but it was a different story in the rematch as the Riders scored early and often. On the team's first possession, Hill connected with slotback Hayden LeBlanc for a 31-yard reception near the goal line and Jamie Clark punched the ball in for the TD. Mason Clayton kicked the two-point conversion.
The Riders recovered the ensuing kickoff and marched the ball as big runs by Hill and Mah put the offence first and goal, and Clark capped off the drive from the five to make it 14-0 at quarter time.
Mah finished with 146 yards on nine carries and two rushing TDs, including a 75-yard dash in the third quarter, and Hill produced 120 yards on seven runs.
The last TD by the Riders was a 21-yard scramble by Hill as receiver Alex Brayden sprung him loose with a jarring block.
The next game is Sept. 9 against the Spruce Grove Cougars, last year’s Tier I CDMFA and provincial champions, at 1 p.m. at Larry Olexiuk Field.
Atom results
League play kicked off Sunday at Foote Field for the following St. Albert atom teams in the Capital District Minor Football Association:Division I: The Jaguars blanked the Millwoods Grizzlies 14-0 after a scoreless first half despite more scoring opportunities for the Jags.
In the third quarter, Zach Garrity’s eight-yard touchdown run was followed by a 40-yard major by Selin Foster as she streaked past all the boys in her path.
Bohe Nyal and Lucas Massey recorded multiple tackles for losses as the defence kept the Grizzlies from mounting any kind of attack.
Up next for the Jags are the Beaumont Bears on Sept. 9 at 9 a.m. at Clarke Stadium.
Division II: It was tough sledding for the Buccaneers in the 28-0 loss to the larger-sized Spruce Grove Cougars.
Cooper McQuaid stood tall at defensive end and wound up as the team’s leading rusher as his guard-arounds were positive yardage plays on offence.
Boston Linden and Zaeden Turner, a pair of quarterbacks, also did a good job while under intense pressure.
On tap for the Bucs is the Edmonton Seahawks on Sept. 9 at 10:15 a.m. at Clarke Stadium.
Division III: The Vikings hung tough with Stony Plain Bombers (Blue) before the floodgates opened and the speedier team scored four times in the 28-0 decision.
Tailback Kayden Hrycun and receiver Isaac Lorenzin racked up yards as the Vikings used a mixture of runs and passes to generate first downs.
Defensive lineman Nate (Monty) Montgomery recorded a quarterback sack and defensive back Julian Ammar led the way with six solo tackles.
The Vikings and the Wetaskiwin Blue team huddle up Sept. 9 at 11:30 a.m. at Clarke Stadium.
Division IV: Jesse Neale and Justin Blake scored for the Avengers in the 49-14 loss to Stony Plain Bombers (Gold).
Linebacker Ayden Maki did his best to bar the door against a strong Stony Plan attack.
The Avengers line up against the Wetaskiwin Gold team Sept. 9 at 12:45 p.m. at Clarke Stadium.
