Hawks chasing eighth straight RFC title

By JAMES TUBB on October 28, 2022.

jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb

The Medicine Hat High Hawks are chasing the region’s highest football honour once again.

The Hawks will battle the Crescent Heights Vikings tonight as they look to capture their 21st RFC title in league history and eighth straight championship.

Hawks head coach Quinn Skelton says he’s proud of the Hat High program and what they’ve been able to accomplish.

“I’m very blessed to have a lot of great coaches who work with me here today and I’ve had a fantastic group of coaches right from the beginning back in 1990,” Skelton said. “This program was built with a lot of effort from them and the coaches along the way and our parents support. And of course, all of the great athletes who have chosen to come to Hat High and play football here.”

Skelton says he’s proud of how his team has done in a self-described rebuilding year after having 23 players graduate last season.

“Everything we’re doing moving forward in our playoffs and zones is all just icing on the cake and gravy,” Skelton said. “The challenge being how many Grade 10s and 11s we have playing this year. I’m just really proud of the product that the boys are putting on the field and the effort that they’re making.

“I don’t want to look past anything but if this group can pull it off this year, I think the next two years will look pretty darn good and I’m definitely looking forward to that.”

Skelton says one of their main messages is maintaining composure as the two Medicine Hat schools battle it out tonight.

“It’s all up to us to look after our own discipline, focus on the game and the play at hand, get back to the huddle to reload and play our game, simple as that,” Skelton said. “I will definitely be on our guys about anything extracurricular in the play and the focus is on the game, the play at hand and nothing else.

“It’s pretty obvious locally, the rivalry is strong across the river. Whether you wear red, blue or green, everybody wants to have the bragging rights for the year and I think that’s why we all work so hard and try to prepare and are competitive … It’s no different now than it was years and years ago and I think the boys all play with pride on both sides of the river.”

As the Hawks and Vikings gear up for the 7 p.m. contest at the Methanex Bowl, and regardless of result, Skelton says he will remain happy with how the league has progressed this season with three new coaches at the helm of the Brooks Buffalos, McCoy Colts and the Vikings.

“Having three new head coaches in our conferences is awesome and I think all three of those young coaches have done a great job in putting their teams on the field,” Skelton said. “I think the league is looking well for the future for our Rangeland Football here in Medicine Hat.”

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