Elecs football team preparing for upcoming season

Estevan Comprehensive School (ECS) Elecs football team head coach Mark Schott expects the program will have a younger team this season.

Elecs players will gather for the first time next Thursday for the equipment handout at their facility at ECS. Their first practice of the season will follow the next day at 3:30 p.m., and then they’ll hold practices on a daily basis.

Their first preseason game will be Sept. 1 against the Weyburn Comprehensive School Eagles at Woodlawn Athletic Park. Their first game of the regular season is Sept. 9 in Moose Jaw against the Vanier Vikings.

“We have some young, energetic players who are enthusiastic and really coachable, and want to be out on the field, so I think that leads to some excitement in the coaching staff,” said Schott. “We also understand that with youth comes times where we have to put the players out there, and they have to experience things for themselves as well.”

The Elecs have 20 to 22 players who have committed to play for this year’s team. It’s a good starting point, Schott said, but they need more. An ideal number would be in the low to mid 30s.

“We have some players returning on our offensive line and in our linebacking corps, and with our defensive back group, but we have a whole tonne of openings available for new players to come out and learn and get playing time right away,” said Schott.

About 10 players will usually join the team in late August or early September.

“We’re definitely hoping that’s the case for this year,” said Schott.

A number of key players graduated from last year’s team. Their quarterbacks, running backs and receivers from last year have moved on. There will be opening for players in Grades 9 and 10 this season.

“There’s a lot of opportunity for new recruits or new players to come up and join our team, and get playing time right away,” said Schott.

Schott expects the young team will be able to grow, learn and mature together, but they will be lacking in experience. He hopes they can learn the high school game quickly and make the necessary adjustments.

The coaches will do their best to simulate game experience and what those situations are like.

Schott said they would not only take male and female students who are in Grades 9 to 12 at ECS, but they would also invite players from Lampman, Carlyle, Carnduff and Oxbow, along with students who are taking online classes through the South East Cornerstone Public School Division, to join the team.

No football experience would be necessary.

“We hope that if you’re considering playing football, come out, give it a try and we’d love to have you on our team,” said Schott.

Anyone with questions can contact Schott at [email protected].