The season kicked off for Weyburn Minor Football on Saturday, with two teams in action at the newly named Brent Allin Field.
The U14 Weyburn Young Fellow Falcons earned a hard-fought 7-0 victory in a defensive showdown against the Swift Current Steelers. Both offences moved the ball effectively throughout the game, but strong defensive play kept points off the scoreboard.
Late in the game, the Falcons' offence broke through when quarterback Logan Payak found Justin Uhrich in the end zone for the game's lone touchdown. Payak finished the day with 145 passing yards, with Judd Vennard being his primary target, hauling in 138 receiving yards.
On defence, linebacker Zion Siwale led the team with 11 tackles, while cornerback Landon Koszman contributed seven tackles and an interception. Kai Clark and Preston Walter also made key plays, each forcing and recovering a fumble.
Payak was named the Offensive Player of the Game, Koszman the Defensive Player of the Game, and Uhrich the MVP.
The Falcons will travel to Estevan for their next game on Saturday, Sept. 6, at Woodlawn Field. Kick-off is at 3:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, the U12 West Country Ravens started their season with a comeback win.
The Ravens found themselves in an early hole, trailing the visiting Assiniboia Rockets 18-6. However, the team would rally to come back with a big 34-18 win. The offence was powered by a dominant ground game, as rookie running backs Connor Pocha and Conrad Loos combined for five touchdowns. Pocha rushed for two, while Loos found the end zone three times, including a 100-yard run.
Quarterbacks Maddax Annis and Nathan Cornish shared duties, leading an offence that generated over 360 rushing yards and 75 passing yards.
On defence, Mirabelle Leroux recorded 12 total tackles, with six being solo. Conner Metz also had a standout performance with 11 total tackles and a crucial interception that he returned 25 yards to set up the offence deep in Rockets territory.
Pocha and Loos shared the Offensive Game Star award, with Leroux named Defensive Game Star and Metz earning Playmaker of the Game.
The Ravens are back in action Saturday afternoon, when they travel to Estevan to take on the Chargers.