Editor's note: Heather Tober contributed to the recap for the U14 Oilers.
ESTEVAN - The saying “look good, play good” was fitting for the first game of the season for the Estevan Lions Club U14 Oilers.
Sporting brand new black and green jerseys, they went into Moose Jaw on Friday to face the newly-formed Moose Jaw Mafia. Estevan defeated the expansion team 28-0.
From the very first play of the game, the Oilers' offence overpowered the Mafia defence. A big, strong offensive line gave quarterback Ryder Mantei tons of time to connect several times with running backTJ Thompson. Running back Taya Stinging punched through the middle, gaining yards when she had the ball.
Waylon Mantei scored on two long plays for Estevan.
The Mafia offence couldn’t penetrate the rock-solid Oilers defence. The energy and confidence of the veteran defensive players was infectious, inspiring new defensive line players like Reid Shier and Sawyer Bomberak to stand their ground and be where they needed to be.
First-year Oiler Ben Guertin was an animal in the last quarter, getting several key tackles and taking any chance of scoring away from the Mafia.
In addition to the new jerseys, the Oilers also have a new head coach. Christian Pfeifer has taken over from long-time Oilers' head coach Paul Duncan, who has moved over to the high school squad as offensive co-ordinator. Pfeifer has been part of EMF and the Oilers' coaching group for years.
To get this big win in his first game with the new title is a nod to Pfeifer as well as the rest of the coaches for the work they’ve put in with the team over recent weeks.
The Oilers will face the 1-0 Moose Jaw Vikings on Sept. 6 in Moose Jaw.
Meanwhile the Estevan Power Dodge U12 Chargers opened their season by taking the two-time defending league champions, the Moose Jaw Lions, to the limit, but the Lions prevailed 51-47.
The Chargers will host the Moose Jaw Bulldogs on Sept. 7 at Woodlawn Athletic Park, with the game slated to start at 3 p.m.
The Estevan Comprehensive School Elecs football team visited Regina O'Neill for a preseason scrimmage on Friday. Estevan won 12-7.
The Elecs will open their season on Sept. 7 when they host Balgonie Greenall, starting at 1 p.m.
The Estevan Kinette Club U18 Viragos female football team will open their season on the road on Sept. 7 against Melville.
