It may be early in the season, but Thursday's tilt between the Central Cyclones and Vanier Vikings could be a sign of a highly competitive Moose Jaw High School Football League season.
Central got the better of Vanier in a 20-10 win, but the game was close throughout.
Coaches from both teams said the game was an optimistic start to their season.
"A positive first outing. Absolutely," said Vikings coach Doug Panko. "We are pleased with this. We showed we can move the ball, and we showed that we can be defensive, too."
Central coach Dave Roney was expectedly pleased with the win.
"It's a good start," he said. "A win is always a good start. Putting points up on the board is always nice."
In the other league contest in Swift Current, the defending provincial champion Peacock Tornadoes battled to a 15-1 win over the Swift Current Colts.
Central 20 Vanier 10
Central got out to a 6-0 edge in the first quarter, scoring the first points of the MJHSFL season as Connor Kleisinger hauled in a 32-yard pass from Cyclones pivot Kahlen Branning.
Vanier responded with 3:41 remaining in the half when Michael North battled his way to the end zone on a 15-yard TD run. A two-point convert by Keegan Arnyek gave Vanier a 10-6 lead.
But Kleisinger struck again, this time on an 11-yard pass less than a minute later, and the score was 14-10 at the half.
Branning carried the ball in himself from the 1-yardline in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach for Vanier.
"We came in knowing we were a year older and a year bigger," said Roney. "We might have had the advantage experience-wise over Vanier. But they're incredible athletes. Those North guys are just awesome."
Michael North had 85 yards rushing for Vanier, but Central's Brett Hagerman edged him out with 86. Kleisinger had three catches for 136 yards receiving.
Branning completed nine of 13 passes, far more successful than Vanier QB Ryan Froehlich, who was 3-for-13.
One of the most impressive plays of the game came during a Vanier punt attempt in the third quarter, when a long snap went over Arnyek's head and he had to run back to recover the ball. He proceeded to run circles around the Central defence and gain a first down in the process.
Panko was pleased with the overall performance of his team, but it's still early, as he points out. The important thing is the promise that the group shows.
"We feel we're a step ahead of last year," he said. "We just have to work to the strengths of our team. We have a lot of strengths. We've got to ensure we've got people in the right positions, the right plays for the right people. Coaching . . . is working with the talent we have."
Peacock 15 Swift Current 1
Peacock travelled to Swift Current for their opener, beating the Colts 15-1 Thursday. The Tornadoes had 252 yards rushing and 142 passing, while the Colts managed just 17 and 32 respectively.
Josh Huschi looked like the veteran quarterback he is in the contest, as the Grade 12 standout went 8-for-15 passing for 142 yards and a touchdown. He also covered 87 yards on 15 carries, including a 33-yard run for a major in the first half.
Lucas McKay carried 25 times for 162 yards to lead all rushers, while Adam Baichu caught six passes for 51 yards including a 10-yard touchdown as Peacock took a 13-0 lead in the game's opening four minutes.
Taylor Lambert can be reached at 691-1260
Cyclones take close win over Vanier in football league opener
Cyclones take close win over Vanier in football league opener
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- D
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:58:26
I totally agree SK Woman. I have been attending high school footbal games for years and it sure was nice to see. Cheerleaders sure bring that little extra atmosphere to the game. Congrats Vanier for putting in the time and effort.
If Centrals Principle condones what their football coaches are doing, do you think they will do anything about the behavior of their cheerleaders? Maybe taunting others is part of their curriculum. -
- mike
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:57:23
I am sure that none of the parents or teachers would condone their students taunting other students. If any of the Central staff heard this and sat there and did nothing, well then they are more at fault then the students.
I am not really surprised though. I graduated from Vanier over 15 years ago. Some of the Central student's had this attitude like they attended some blue blood prep school in NYC even back then. Never could understand this, when you are attending a PUBLIC school in Moose Jaw. Lol big fish in a very small bowel I guess. -
- MJ concerned
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:54:02
I understand the concern with injuries. I am assuming you writers were as close to the coaches as I was. How can we assume what the coaches were saying. None of us can hear the coaches from the stands. I think, if you are going to talk about the negative comments made by coaches, you should hear it first hand. Otherwise it is all hearsay....things get said during a game, by both teams
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- football guy
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:33:24
to hahahaha hahahaha
I believe in competative gaming just as much as the next guy, but disgutsted is right when he is talking about coaches being role models. You don't know how much a coach can influence a player(we have all been there i hope), how do you appreciate a role model who is receiving penalties for taunting players and telling his players to intentionally injure someone? I have seen a few knee injuries in my day and i can say there is nothing competative about it... Its just a cheap and cowardish way of taking a player out of the game, but most of the time, out for the season, and also a case i have witnessed, ended someones career. how much will that pump up your players? If it at all does then i wouldn't be suprised with a coach like that. Also like disgusted said it isn't about winning, I do congradulate central on a hard earned win, they played a good game, but when you have role model coaches representing their school and team like that then that coach should really look at what competative gaming is really about, because if I was a player or student at central then i would be ashamed to be a part of the school, and i hope one of their captains has the brains to talk to the coach and let him know that he needs to conduct himself better. So get it right and think about the ethics of the game before you think what he did was competative and hard core . -
- Celine
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:22:16
Sentral walked all over Vanier and the parents should stop complaining and teach the boys to be boys not girls!
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- buddy
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:19:49
celine from sask i never knew it was spelt sentral and i've lived here my whole life!... wait it is central with a C haha i guess thats what you get with an education from that school eh celine???
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- Coach
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:03:45
Maybe next time you write a story about coaches and so called bad behavior on the side lines you should get your facts write first. Maybe interview the coach that is being accused of being a bad role model. I never said take out the knees , all I said was tackle lower . This comment was said because of all the grabbing at the shoulder pads which is not the way to tackle a player. There is too much heresay and not enough facts.
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- hahaha
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:01:41
okay disgusted, I hope you are
1. a player who heard this taunting
2. a coach who heard this taunting
if not, your second hand opinion is void
as well your boohoo atitude toward COMPETITIVE GAMES and hard core coaching is funny.
If you play a game, then you run the risk of losing that game, and possibly next time out of the gate Vanier will win, sure hope we see a central supporter on the times herald site throwing darts NOT
Well done Central Boys ! -
- parent
- - September 18th, 2009 at 16:53:16
you have got be be kidding me, how did this go from accusations of taunts and innappropriate behaviour by 13 year old girls to questioning the values of the school staff and curriculum taught to our kids. The authors of the above statements should really clear thier heads before they dish up such garbage.
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- Coach
- - September 18th, 2009 at 16:47:41
I would aslo like to add that I would be the first one to NEVER tell a player to purposely hurt another player. My own high school career was cut short because of an injury. I would never want to see that happen to anyone.
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- mike
- - September 18th, 2009 at 16:13:55
I am sure that none of the parents or teachers would condone their students taunting other students. If any of the Central staff heard this and sat there and did nothing, well then they are more at fault then the students.
I am not really surprised though. I graduated from Vanier over 15 years ago. Some of the Central student's had this attitude like they attended some blue blood prep school in NYC even back then. Never could understand this, when you are attending a PUBLIC school in Moose Jaw. Lol big fish in a very small bowel I guess. -
- Disgusted
- - September 18th, 2009 at 16:12:18
Its nice to see that Central coaches maintain the poise and class that all ROLE MODELS should. Penalized for taunting Vanier players,who are high school students, after scoring a touchdown and, at one point, yelling (for everyone to hear) Take em out at the knees! Great coaching! Keep it up.
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- Football
- - September 18th, 2009 at 16:01:39
I myself was on the sidelines. I heard the Central coaches say take out there knee's. I also heard some of the comments that Central had to say. I have no more respect for the coaches at Central and most of their players. Central took out many of our runningbacks knees and injured them on purpose. If the coaches are teaching there players to do that, then they shouldn't be coaching. There a disgrace to the league and to Moose Jaw.
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- Disgusted
- - September 18th, 2009 at 15:59:06
Hey hahaha hahaha..
If you think that hard core coaching a competitive game includes intentionally injuring kids and possibly ending any future hope of them pursuing a dream of playing at a higher level, then you should re-evaluate your opinion of a good coach! PS This has nothing to do with winning or losing a game. Wake Up!! -
- SK Woman
- - September 18th, 2009 at 15:52:36
I can't speak to the taunting of the players, but I can speak to the taunting/ridiculing of the Vanier cheerleaders. A number of grade 9 Central girls (who shall remain unnamed) went over to the cheerleaders and started chanting childish Bring It On cheers like It's alright, It's okay, you will pump our gas one day , etc. I assume this was something to do with Freshie Week, however, I think it would be advisable for the Principal at Central to speak to this and let their students know that their behaviour was out of line.
The cheerleaders were simply cheering on the Vanier players and had no negative cheers toward Central whatsoever. I personally think having the cheerleaders there was a great idea. They looked and performed very professionally and really got the Vanier fans pumped up which is what they were there to do! -
- SK Woman
- - September 18th, 2009 at 15:48:36
You are correct Parent, this has absolutely nothing to do with the curriculum. The issue here is what is acceptable behaviour for coaches as well as students. My original post was not intended as slander and it was not hearsay...... I was there and witnessed the events that happened regarding the cheerleaders. I only spoke on what I saw directly, with my own eyes, and just wanted to voice my opinion that I don't believe it was acceptable behaviour. These were grade 9 girls (factual) and if they are not told right off the bat that their behaviour was unacceptable, the behaviours will likely continue and that would be unfortunate.
As for what the coach said/did not say, I did not see/hear/witness anything so am not willing to comment on this. If there are comments made regarding this, it is hopeful that this is factual information and not merely heresay. Rumours/slander, etc. are as bad as the original comment (if in fact true) in my opinion, once again, just my own opinion.
It was a great game yesterday and all kids involved should be extremely proud including Vanier players, Central players and Vanier cheerleaders. -
- Person
- - September 18th, 2009 at 15:41:13
i agree... like... if a defensive player cant tackle a running back properly... they shouldn't be playing. its not even the players fault, if that's what they've been coached they're going to do it... if the coaches need to resort to hurting a back for possibly for the rest of his life... they should be a back for a game and the other teams should do what central is coached... that's a disgrace to all football anywhere
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- parent
- - September 18th, 2009 at 15:40:10
I was aware of the display by the grade 9 kids, I am sure they will learn very soon about what is acceptable and what is not. As for the actions of coaches could it apperas to me that most on this site are taking one persons word on this. Careful, you would not want to let yourself be lead by inaccurate information. Slander is a horrible horrible thing. maybe all of your opinions should be directed to the school where it can be addressed if infact it is true. Now that is responsible!
