More than 100 people are expected to turn out to the high school football field this weekend for provincial finals between the Innisfail Pee Wee Cyclones and Calgary Colts.
“We’re unbelievably pumped,” said assistant coach and offensive coordinator, James Thompson, of hosting the provincial game. “What I love is, people not even into football have gotten wrapped up in the Cyclones hoopla,” he said of people phoning him up or stopping him in the street to congratulate the team. “The whole town is backing us. I think it’s because the bantam team folded and the high school team folded. I think everyone wants to get behind one football club and see it move forward.”
The Cyclones beat out Strathmore Spartans 52-0 Nov. 5 as the Central Alberta rep for the provincial finals. This past weekend the northern rep (Leduc Wildcats) took on the southern rep (Calgary Colts) to determine who would play against the Cyclones this weekend.
“The (provincial) competition has traditionally always been the city teams, so the best of the best cities playing off each other … it’s going to be an unreal game because it’s the best of the cities playing against us,” he said of what to expect this weekend.
Last year the Cyclones placed third. Thompson credits the increased number of players — 20 senior players up from three last year and a total roster of 32, as well as additional coaching and help from high school students providing individual assessments as reasons for their success.
“I think, just having the team with its success, it’s going to generate a three-year wave I’m predicting,” he said of interest from the community. “If someone can harness it, it’ll carry on.”
He said he’s already hearing from students in high school asking if there’ll be a bantam team next year, and young kids already asking to join the peewee team next year.
This weekend’s game begins at 1 p.m. and coach Wally Genz and Thompson are asking for a voluntary admission of one non-perishable food item that will be donated to the Innisfail Food Bank.
They’re also hoping to get as many community members as possible out to the game.
“When Calgary comes out they bring a huge entourage. We’ve got to take advantage of the home advantage.”
