Mohawks start drive for five
By Ryan McCracken on May 11, 2018.
NEWS PHOTO RYAN MCCRACKENHat High Mohawks Joshua Suelzle (51) and Joel Oulette tackle Crescent Heights Vikings fullback Riley Rutledge for a loss during Thursday's high school football jamboree at the Methanex Bowl.
rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com @MHNMcCracken
The Hat High Mohawks football team officially started their drive for five with an impressive outing at Thursday’s high school football jamboree at the Methanex Bowl.
Hat High has strung together four consecutive Rangeland Football Conference championships to solidify their status as the team to beat entering next fall. While the position leaves the Mohawks with a sizable target on their backs, head coach Quinn Skelton says his players have grown fond of the challenge.
“The Grade 12 group coming up definitely have it in their mind that they want to get the job done and do a really good job finishing and get another championship for themselves. I think they’re quite excited to come into the season,” said Skelton. “All the coaches and everybody, we’re quite excited. But we’ll take it one game at a time, we’re not looking past any of our competition in the league. We know everybody’s good. Crescent Heights is showing really well today and we know Brooks is tough so it’s still going to be a dogfight.”
While the jamboree — which featured the Mohawks, Crescent Heights Vikings, McCoy Colts and WR Myers Rebels — was geared toward training and development in approach of the upcoming 2018 RFC season, the Mohawks still managed to leave the gridiron without giving up a loss in three scrimmages thanks to a stubborn effort by the defence.
“They held us,” said Skelton. “We turned the ball over three times in that scrimmage then the defence definitely got it back and held on for us.”
Mohawks slotback and defensive back Lachlan Hardiker added defence was a driving force behind Hat High’s fourth consecutive title, and he hopes to see that trend continue into the fall.
“Last year our defence was crazy. We never allowed a point until Strathmore so hopefully we can inherit that. Last year we had a lot of young people playing so this year it’ll be even better I hope,” he said. “Right now I think we’re looking pretty good. It’s pretty exciting to see who we have coming out for Grade 10, so it should be a good year.”
Skelton added he expects next year’s roster to be potentially more athletic than last season’s bunch after watching his players put in a considerable amount of work through the winter.
“I’m pleased to see the progress made in the off-season, the boys trained hard with their coaches at the Underground program downtown and it’s showing out here,”said Skelton. “We’re definitely not big but we’re athletic and we’ve got some good speed and good strength.”
Brody Brandham is slated to start at quarterback after leading the Mohawks to a championship this year, and Skelton says he has plenty of confidence in the soon-to-be senior arm.
“I think what we’ve got out of Brody is a kid who’s taken a lot of snaps at quarterback over the last two years. This year, his Grade 12 year, I think he should be poised to have a great year,” said Skelton. “I think we’re going to allow him to have a little more rein in running the ball as well. He’s got good speed, so that will help us in addition to his arm.”
Thursday’s jamboree also featured a strong presence from Hat High’s alumni. Former players like quarterback Sanjay Grover and runningback Travis Semenok —who helped Hat High go all the way over the past four years and went on to play with the Canadian Prep Football Academy Raiders and University of Regina Rams, respectively — were out to help their alma mater keep the championship streak alive.
“It’s fantastic getting alumni coming back,” said Skelton. “It’s awesome. They obviously have a lot of attachment to the program and we’re proud to have this kids coming back to work with us.”
