Mohawks set for another provincial push
By RYAN MCCRACKEN on November 1, 2019.
rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com
After locking up their sixth consecutive Rangeland Football Conference championship, the Hat High Mohawks are returning their sights to the one thing that has eluded them through the local dynasty run – a provincial title.
The Mohawks will look to extend their season with a win in tonight’s Tier 2 South Zone final against the No. 2 ranked Cougars in Cardston at 7 p.m. While it’s sure to provide one of their toughest challenges of the year, head coach Quinn Skelton says his team is prepared after taking on some of the province’s top talent in an extended exhibition schedule.
“I think it helps us keep perspective on how good teams are out there, and that we might do well here in Rangeland but we certainly have to bring our A-game against teams that are ranked,” said Skelton, whose Mohawks hold the No. 6 ranking. “(Holy) Rosary, (Holy) Trinity, Cardston, they’re all going to be in the same type of category. They’re very good teams, simple as that.”
While it’s never fun to lose, Mohawks quarterback Brody Fink says the team’s exhibition setbacks to Holy Rosary and Holy Trinity were both valuable learning experiences for the impending provincial push.
“Every loss you learn from,” said Fink. “You can’t go without playing good teams. If you are a bad team and are playing other bad teams and just keep winning, that doesn’t teach you anything. You’ve got to lose to learn.”
While Hat High boasts one of their youngest rosters in recent memory, it’s far from the least experienced. Fink is one of 14 Grade 10’s who took the Medicine Hat Hawks all the way to a bantam provincial title last season.
“I think that’s awesome that those young guys are going to have that type of mentality,” said Skelton. “The pressure’s not on the Grade 10’s but it’s certainly great to know that they’re not just here as filler, that they’re going to contribute to help us get through.”
Fink added there are a number of lessons he and his Hawks teammates took away from last year’s provincial run, but few stand out more than the need to prepare for the frigid temperatures.
“Last year when we went to provincials it was cold. We’re ready for that again. We’re OK with the cold. We’re already used to it,” said Fink. “We’ll leave everything out on the field every game and see how far we can go.”
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