Hawks bring young football team, offensive potential into season

By JAMES TUBB on August 28, 2025.

jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb

The Medicine Hat High Hawks senior football team will turn to some youth this fall.

The Hawks graduated 19 seniors last season, leaving a lot of open spots for younger players to step up and perform in, head coach Quinn Skelton says.

“We graduated some great kids last year but we have also been fortunate to pick up some really good young kids coming in,” Skleton said. “We have our Grade 11s stepping up to take over that senior role. So we’ll be in a little bit of a retool for the next few weeks and our senior class is going to be a pretty good bunch of kids to work with.”

The Hawks open their season in the Prairie Sky League tonight at the Methane Bowl in an exhibition contest against Winston Churchill in a 7 p.m. contest.

Skelton says their strength will come on the offensive side of the ball, as long as their offensive line can come together. They return senior running back Keene Shigehiro who is the No. 1 ranked Alberta football player in the class of 2026 according to CanadaFootballChat. Quarterback Corbin Bellamy has also stepped into his role, Skelton says.

“With that supporting cast and a lot of good athletes in the offensive skill positions, we’re looking like we could do alright once we get it all put together,” Skelton said.

“Offence always takes a little longer to get together than a defensive side. We haven’t been at it that long so far this year, so it’ll take some time. But we’ve also got a very, very competitive schedule right ahead.”

The Hawks face Winston Churchill tonight before hosting the Holy Trinity Academy Knights on Sept. 5 and then the LCI Rams on Sept 12.

“Any team out of Lethbridge is always a challenge,” Skelton said. “So we expect a tough matchup with Churchill, and I know those boys will come down here and want to play.”

Skelton, in his 36th year with the Hawks, is co-head coaching alongside Travis Semenok. With other former Hat High alum on the staff, Skelton says he’s looking forward to continue coaching alongside Semenok.

“Last year Travis and I worked together as co-head coaches and we’re going to continue doing that this year as well, but with me retired from teaching and him at school, he’s definitely playing a greater role with team and the team management,” Skelton said. “He’s going to have all that great contact time with the boys at school, in the hallways and in classes. So I’m really looking forward to it and proud to watch him develop as a head coach.”

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