Football returns to Caronport

The Caronport high school football program has come full circle for Ken Guenter.
    Guenter first coached the Cougars six-man team in 1971 and now he will be the head coach as the Cougars return to the field after a year’s absence and will play six-man football once again.
    “We didn’t have football last year, so I have very few players who have played on this team before,” said Guenter. “The interest is terrific. Every player on the team is from the community as opposed to being kids from our residence program.
    “Not having a team must have got them excited to appreciate the chance because they’ve come out in droves.”
    The interest extends off the field and into the community as well.
    “It’s almost like being in the States — I have 20 people watching us practice,” said Guenter with a laugh. “Parents bring their lawn chairs, set them up in the shade and watch. It’s great.”
    The Cougars have a new home off the field as Guenter constructed a new locker room for the team.
    “Our locker room used to be in the hangar which was left over from the Second World War,” said Guenter. “It was torn down this summer. Before they tore it down I took apart the old dressing room and then recreated it — but all fixed up — in about half of the size.”
    The room only needed to be half the size of the old one because not too long ago, the Cougars had a 12-man program. They felt they could better compete as a nine-man team. They had success in nine-man, but weren’t able to field a team last season and took a hiatus.
    Despite that, the interest has been great this year. Guenter had 28 players out to a recent practice.
    “It’s more than you need for six-man,” said Guenter. “They’re spread out over the four grades, so I’ve divided the team into two offensive and two defensive teams.”
    The six-man league plays a developmental ‘fifth quarter’ which is effectively a controlled scrimmage at the end of games that allows younger players a chance to see the field.
    “We have a full junior program now,” said Guenter. “You put your juniors out and have a minimum of six plays. You start on your 30 and see how far you can go. It’s a great league.”
    The league features the defending provincial champions from Clavet and should offer excellent competition.
    Six-man features a 100-by-40 yard field. The only player who isn’t an eligible receiver on offence is the centre. As a result, the game is wide open with lots of room for creativity.
    “You have to be incredibly athletic to play six-man,” said Guenter, who coached two Cougar teams to provincial finals in the early-70s.
    “We plan to pass the ball a lot. We love to throw the ball.”
    The Cougars will play in Conference 3 of the six-man league. They will open the season on the road against Southey on Sept. 4 and host Central Butte on Sept. 10.
    This season, six-man will feature 32 teams in four conferences.
    “It’s alive and well,” said Guenter.
    That is true, but Guenter concedes that when he first started coaching the Cougars, the game was even stronger.
    “There used to be a lot more six-man,” said Guenter. “For instance in the 70s we played against Central Butte, but also against Chaplin, Morse, Herbert and Gravelbourg.
    “I think Central Butte is the only one with football still. The rural population is declining. It used to be strong enough to have all of those six-man teams within 60 miles of here.”

Matthew Gourlie can be reached at 691-1261