The defence for the Football Saskatchewan prides itself on being small, but tough.
That may be the perfect fit for the weather in Wolfville, Nova Scotia at the Football Canada Cup under-18 tournament.
The temperature on the East Coast hit 30C Friday and the humidity made it feel like it was 40C. For Team Sask — including local players Keegan Arnyek, Justin Filteau and Jacques Geyer — it’s been an adjustment.
“It’s really humid. We’re drinking water non-stop,” said Arnyek, a defensive back from Vanier.
The team manager bought 34 electric fans for the player’s rooms so they could try to sleep at night.
“It’s been different, but the coaches have been good and our trainers have been helping us get lots of water,” said Geyer, a rush end from Central.
The temperatures are expected to be similar when the team opens the national championship Sunday morning against Manitoba.
While the heat wave has taken some getting used to, the three players are all holdovers from last year’s under-17 provincial team that were the host team at the Canada Cup in Saskatoon.
“Knowing what to expect and going in with experience makes it easier,” said Filteau who graduated from Peacock this year and is playing weak-side linebacker. “It’s going to be different team wise, because there will be different players and different schemes.”
A year ago the Canada Cup had under-17 and under-19 divisions.
Last year’s tournament featured 24-minute games, though the teams played twice a day. This year they’re playing full 60 minute games. The semifinals are scheduled for Wednesday.
For more please see Saturday's Times-Herald.
