The Saskatchewan Selects team is back from Texas. Participating in the 2019 International Pigskin Classic in San Antonio, TX, the teams from Saskatchewan – which include Yorkton players at all levels – put in a good showing in the tournament.
Yorkton’s own Jason Boyda was coach for the teams in Texas, and he was proud of what the local players accomplished south of the border.
“Our Yorkton players who made the team were fantastic. The majority of them were starters and they contributed extremely well. They represented Yorkton, Saskatchewan and Canada the exact way we expected them to be representing our city, our province and our nation. Both in their on-field play and their off-field.”
The team that did best was the youngest, with the U10 team winning all of their games, and the championship with a 3-0 record.
The U12 team played good football, said Boyday, but struggled on the field, and finished the tournament with an 0-3 record.
The U14 team won one game, but lost two, though the last game was very close and it could have gone either way right to end, said Boyda, for a record of 1-2 for the tournament.
The U16 team made it to the final, but lost to the home town Texas Red Raiders, losing only in the final match for a record of 2-1.
“It just shows that what we’re doing here in Saskatchewan with our grass roots program in minor football, and high school football, we can compete with the best of the best. We know that in Texas, it’s a religion there for football, and we can compete with them... Even though we’re known as a hockey first nation, there are some pretty good football players here.”
Part of the reason why the team went to Texas is to improve their own play at home, and give players a chance to compete against teams they haven’t seen before. For the Yorkton players, competing against Texas they were able to experience a greater intensity, football IQ and a faster game, something they don’t see every day at home, said Boyda.
“Hopefully the players take it back to their programs, to not only make themselves a better football player with the experience, but also their teammates and their coaches.”
Boyda hopes to be back to Texas in 2020, though like the players the coaches have to compete to take the trip.
“Whether you’re a player or coach, you’ve got to compete!”
