The Yorkton Regional High School Raider Gridders made it a three-peat, winning the league championships three times in a row, but it wasn’t an easy game. The Swift Current Colts were determined to end Yorkton’s championship run, and got very close to doing it, before the Yorkton team pulled it out to take the South Rural 12-man Football League championship on Nov. 2 at Century Field.
After the first half, Yorkton was up by 14, but half-time reinvigorated the Swift Current team. After an interception by Rhett Vavra, the Colts changed the momentum, getting up 17-14 on Yorkton. While Yorkton tied it with a field goal, the game was tied at 17 well into the fourth quarter.
Two plays changed it to Yorkton’s game. One, Val Declines had a huge run to set up a Raider Gridders touchdown, putting them up 24-17. Two, Brad Heskin, who also won a league award for best defensive player after the game, had a huge interception, which shut down any hope of a Colts comeback with a minute left. The final score was 31-17, with the Raider Gridders on top.
Coach Jason Boyda gave credit to Swift Current for playing a really tough game, digging deep to stay in the contest.
“They didn’t fold their tents, they fought to the end, so I give all the respect to Swift Current for staying in for the entire football game.”
But it was Yorkton’s players who came out on top, and Boyda said he’s proud of how they stayed in the game.
“They dug deep, the guys knew they had to play a full 48 minutes of football to win. It was a great, great team win today.”
The big rush that finally put Yorkton on top had Declines with the ball, but Boyda said it was the team that gave him the chance to get out and past the Colts.
“Our O-line did a great job with the blocking schemes, Val saw a crease, did a nice little cut, he’s got wheels, he did a fantastic job with his ball security and making yards after contact… He’s got a motor that doesn’t quit, I’m proud to be his coach.”
Heskin’s big interception was just one of many plays that lead him to co-win league defensive MVP, said Boyda, and he’s got tackles ‘across the field’ said Boyda.
The game overall was a defensive game for both sides, and Boyda said that in the end, it’s the defense that won the game.
“They say defenses win championships, that’s the truth, because that was today.”
Now it’s time to prepare for provincials, for the first time on home turf, with Yorkton hosting the game next weekend.
“It’s something special when you have the opportunity to host a provincial championship game on your own turf. We have that opportunity, we’re going to prepare for it, especially having our whole community coming behind and supporting us. It’s going to be a good football game,” said Boyda.
Part of that preparation is going to be eliminating turnovers. Boyda said that there were far too many turnovers this game, with interceptions and lost fumbles ending drives prematurely.
Going three in a row for league championships is a special moment for the team, said Boyda.
“It’s so special, because the boys and the girls on our team work so hard, and to see their work pay off, that’s the best thing about coaching, to see these kids be successful.”
