The Humboldt Collegiate Institute football team dominated its contest against the Nipawin Bears right from the start.
Slotback Jared Giddings hauled in a touchdown pass from Landon Seipp with less than two minutes gone. It was the start of the Mohawks’ offensive onslaught and defensive dominance. HCI triumphed 59-0 as they posted a shutout on Sept. 25 at Glenn Hall Park.
“They were focused right from the beginning of the game to play as hard as they could and execute plays to the best of their ability,” HCI head coach Cory Popoff said of his troops.
The Mohawks improved to a perfect 3-0 on the season. The squad will host the Tisdale on Oct. 2. While HCI beat Tisdale, 62-14, earlier this fall, Popoff said the Mohawks expect their opponents to be more prepared this time around. The head coach emphasized that HCI is not taking Tisdale lightly.
Against Nipawin, Humboldt’s defence was suffocating. The Bears were unable to get within Humboldt’s 20-yard line. Through three games, the Mohawks have only allowed 28 points.
A key to HCI’s defensive success has its defensive line. Starters Jarod Dredhart, Cody Weyland, Jordan Seipp, and Jeremiah Selinger have led the way and won plenty of battles in the trenches.
“They have been taking away a lot of pass and run opportunities from the opposition,” said Popoff, who noted they are displaying the techniques that are needed for success.
After Landon Seipp tossed three first half TD passes, Morgan Gobeil took over behind center. Gobeil led the Mohawks to three touchdowns. In the second half, HCI displayed the quality of its depth.
“We are building depth and that will help us in the long run against teams like Melfort and who we meet in the playoffs,” Popoff said.
While the Mohawks were dominant, there is one area where Popoff would like to see improvement.
“We still have a lot of work to do as far as penalties on the field. We had four touchdowns called back because of penalties.”
Junior Football
At a junior jamboree in Tisdale on Sept. 26, the HCI squad, made up of Grade 9s and 10s, beat Nipawin and the home team. The Mohawks fell to Melfort. In the three mini games, all of the Humboldt junior student-athletes had the opportunity to play. Popoff said he witnessed improvement from the first game through the last.
 “It sure is a good opportunity for them to develop their football skills,” the head coach said.
The junior team was slated to play Deslisle on Sept. 29.
