The Maple Creek Redmen overcame a plethora of penalties Friday night to fend off the Gull Lake Lions to open their season in the win column.
Running backs Alex Cruz and Cade Sanderson each scored a pair of touchdowns for Maple Creek in the 27-17 victory. Lions running back Tyden Johnson registered both Gull Lake's touchdowns.
"Cade is only in grade ten, he's going to be a great tailback, he loves football, and competes hard," Redmen Head Coach Dale Udal said postgame. "Alex Cruz is in grade 12, he's not a very big guy, but he brings a ton of speed to the table and when we can get him to the perimeter good things happen."
Gull Lake turned the ball over on downs to begin the game with the Redmen converting quickly on their first possession of the game with Cruz punching one in one in via the rush game.
Johnson put the Lions on the board with a nice run tying the game at 7-7 after the extra point kick was converted.
Sanderson rushed Maple Creek back in front 13-7 in the first half with the extra point kick being sailed wide.
Gull Lake then secured a safety and a rouge shortly after cutting the deficit to 13-10.
The Redmen capitalized with another rushing touchdown in the first half, with Cruz again finding the end zone pushing the lead to 20-9.
Moments before the first half ended, Johnson made the play of the game with a 100-yard punt return closing the Maple Creek lead to 20-17 at halftime.
Defence on both sides took over in the second half with Sanderson the lone player to find the end zone about midway through the fourth quarter finalizing the score at 27-17.
The 1-0 Redmen play in Shaunavon against the 1-0 Shadows on September 20 while the 0-1 Gull Lake Lions host Lumsden.