Vikings pushing for first RFC title since 2012

By JAMES TUBB on October 28, 2022.

The Crescent Heights Vikings are embracing their underdog mentality tonight in the Rangeland Football Conference.

The Vikings enter the league final in the two slot against the first-place Medicine Hat High Hawks. Head coach Scott Wendell says it’s always one of their goals to do well in the RFC and is looking forward to the game.

“It’d be great to come out on Friday and have a really strong performance to see how we stack up against a strong team and it’s an important game,” Wendell said. “It’s a meaningful game for all of the kids in Medicine Hat but it’s also what is going to help prepare us for a run into provincials.”

He says success for the Vikings will come from them being the harder working team throughout the game.

“At this point in the year, it’s not about winning necessarily with a new flashy offence or defence or coming in with something that they haven’t seen. There’s no gizmos, no magic tricks,” Wendell said. “It’s just good, hard-nosed football and making sure we execute across the board, 12 guys all doing their jobs. If we get those done, then I like our chances.”

Playing against an inner-city rival in a high energy game like the RFC final, Wendell says the Vikings will need to remain composed while still playing at a high physical level.

“If we could play a physical game versus Hat High and get them off tilt a little bit here with big hits, big blocks and good runs and passes, that’s just an area where not just for this game, but into the playoffs we might see that we have a slight advantage versus some of the teams,” Wendell said.

“A big piece for us is, whether the play before was successful or whether it’s a challenging play, it’s to move on to that next piece, and not to be too focused on what’s already happened in the game or what’s transpired. We want to be focused on that next play and execute on special teams.”

Tonight’s final is a special game for players on both sides of the ball, but also holds some meaning to Wendell, who is at the helm for his first RFC final after joining the Vikings following a coaching stint with the Hawks.

“I don’t want to give too much locker room inspiration to the other guys across the across the river but I know it’s a really important game for them. Quinn’s chasing his eighth consecutive RFC championship and that’s something for me as a coach that gets me really excited,” Wendell said. “It’s a meaningful game for the players but it has a little extra meaning for me as well.”

Regardless of result, Wendell says he’s excited for the two teams to battle once again and showcase how much better they’ve gotten this season, while competing for the ultimate bragging rights.

“Those guys across the river are preparing well, they’re a well coached team, their players came out and played a heck of a game the first time around. So I’m really looking forward to getting back at it and seeing how much the two teams have grown and the adjustments we will each make for this game,” Wendell said. “It’s going to be an awesome game that’s really going to showcase the talent and the coaching in the RFC this season.”

Tonight’s game gets underway at 7 p.m. at the Methanex Bowl.

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