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Junior Raider Gridders on gridiron roll

The Yorkton Junior Raider Gridders are rolling through their competition like a combine harvesting canola on a nice day. The team played Sunday at home and won 43-8 over the Regina Sun Devils.
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The Yorkton Junior Raider Gridders are rolling through their competition like a combine harvesting canola on a nice day.

The team played Sunday at home and won 43-8 over the Regina Sun Devils.

The win extended the Junior team’s record to a spotless 5-0.

“We’re firing on all cylinders,” said their head coach Al Kyle with a smile.

Not only was Sunday’s win a lopsided one, but on the season the team has scored 213 points, allowing only the eight from the weekend.

So, why the dominance?

“We have good players at every position,” said Kyle, who noted last year there were some soft spots positionally. “This year we’re real good everywhere.”

It helps the team has a roster of 40 players too.

The ‘real good’ starts are pivot where Grade 9 Jake Farrell is at the controls.

Having a quarterback who can throw at the Junior level is a huge plus.

“Most teams practice to stop the run,” said Kyle, so when a quarterback can make passes regularly “he can do whatever he wants out there.”

And until Sunday the team had not allowed a touchdown, so the defence is solid, led by Tristan Watrych at linebacker and Taylor Spokowski at safety.

“But, it really is a team effort,” said Kyle.

Kyle also noted that Yorkton Minor Football is doing a great job of laying the foundation with players at an early age, noting when he played Junior football players were having to learn how to put on shoulder pads. Now they arrive at the Junior level well-coached in minor football.

“So now we can really focus on improving their skills,” he said.

The Junior team plays again this Sunday at 2:45 at Century Field. They will also host a game at 12 noon Oct. 5.