The Humboldt Collegiate Institute (HCI) Mohawks football team got off to a quick start with the 2024 season.
They jumped out to a 29-0 lead in the first quarter on their way to a 51-12 victory over Kindersley.
Head Coach Eric Anderson was pleased that most of the players were able to contribute on the field.
“For the most part, our guys adjusted well, they worked well together to make sure they had the right guys on the field at the right time.”
Anderson continued, “this game like we had, allowed us to get pretty much everyone that was ready to play sometime during that game, so that’s really beneficial, especially to start the season to get that on field work for everybody.”
The Mohawks offensive fireworks were on display at Glenn Hall Park, with three long touchdown runs to open their scoring, including a pair of punt returns for touchdowns by Barrett Smith.
Special teams are a strength for the Mohawks according to Anderson, noting they are led by Smith and a group of solid blockers.
“Really impressive when everything lines up and we can get one going like that to the house, it’s always fun.”
It wasn’t a perfect afternoon for the Mohawks, there were a few penalties on third down, that allowed for a couple of Kindersley’s drives to be extended by a couple of drives. Anderson says that is something the team will be working on.
“We talked about as a team about some undiscipline play,” said the Mohawks head coach.
“Every year they’re going to call in football, they’re going to call head contact a little bit tighter, and rightfully so, and so it’s time for these guys to adjust, and it’s time for them to play smarter, use their heads so they’re not making contact with others.”
This week, the Mohawks will play their first game of the season on the road. They will head to North Battleford on Thursday, to meet John Paul II, who are 0-1 after a 46-26 loss to Delisle in their first game.
Anderson said the Mohawks will have some added depth to their lineup this week, with some senior players back on the roster after missing some time at the beginning of the year along with some grade nine players.
The Mohawk junior football will see extensive action on the field with the introduction of the weekly junior jamborees, with games featuring grade nine & ten players. This weekend they're in action in Tisdale. The junior jamboree will be in Humboldt on Saturday, September 28.