There’s a hint of fall in the air. Not from leaves on the ground or pumpkin spice on the shelves, but from the thud and bang of football pads on the local field as local student athletes gear up for the season ahead.
The Kindersley Kobras got things underway with two practices last week, before hitting the field on Saturday for a hot and steamy double-practice that kicked off their season for real.
The Kobras have a new head coach leading them into play this season, Derek Walde, a Kindersley native and former Kobras offensive lineman who went on to play at both the junior level for the Kamloops Broncos, and then with the University of Regina Rams.
Returning to West Central as a teacher after his playing days, Walde had been coaching the Eatonia Spartans the last couple of years but accepted a teaching job in Kindersley this year as he will now have the chance to coach his alma mater.
The Kobras will have a chance to put their early season work to the test when they face Shaunavon in a pre-season game on Friday. The team went winless in 2024 as they returned to SHSAA nine-aside play for the first time this decade, but have higher expectations in 2025 with key players returning all over the field.
After any pre-season games, the first day of school will tee up Week 1's around the province as the Kobras will head to Meadow Lake to face the Spartans on September 5.
The nine-aside Kobras are in the same conference this year with the rival Delisle Rebels, JPII Crusaders, and Humboldt Mohawks, the only change being the addition of Meadow Lake who are back after a long hiatus. The Conference 4 schedule opens September 4 with Humboldt hosting JPII also at 4:00 PM.
The rest of West Central plays six-aside football, as early season preparations have also begun for the likes of the 1A Kerrobert Rebels, and 2A Rosetown Royals. The Rebels are in 1A Conference 1 with Macklin, Biggar, and Plenty, and then Rosetown is part of 2A Conference 1 with Unity, Maple Creek, and Eatonia.
The 2A conference has Eatonia and Rosetown set to play on September 4, and then Unity heads to Maple Creek on September 5. The 1A conference has both of their games set for September 4 as Kerrobert hosts Biggar and Plenty welcomes in Macklin.
It's almost officially that time of year again. Find the full schedule for each local league below: