The Yorkton Regional High School (YRHS) junior football team snapped a two-year long losing skid when they came out on the winning end of a 14-8 score against the Regina Renegades.
And on their first offensive drive of the game, they set the stage for a pretty good game.
It was their first home game, and second game of the season in Regina Minor Football League action, and they improved their season record to 1-1 following a loss last week against Greenall.
Defensive corps captain and second-year junior Raider Gridder Grey McKen was one of t
he handful who was more than happy after this game; said it felt good to finally get into the win column.
He pointed to the opening offensive series of the football game, which saw Ulmer make like he was getting ready for long distance running season, as well as playing football.
"I thought we had a good gameonce Tyrell (Ulmer) got the game started (with a 70-yard run.)"
"It woke everyone up, kind of surprises," insists McKen.
"It's nice to finally have a win (under our belts)."
On a secondary note, the win over the Renegades was a little extra sweet for YRHS head coach Lance Stilborn.
"Believe it or not, I used to play for them," he said at the end of the game, after watching both elements of his team's game plan come together quite nicely.
He said ball possession in the two-down system is key and that he was more then pleased with his team's ability to control the clock.
"These guys are great. Most give it 100 per cent."
Stilborn mentioned that it was Tyrell Ulmer's first game back and that he did not disappoint.
Apparently he didn't wait very long to 'not disappoint', either, added Stilborn.
"Tyrell Ulmer had his first game back, ran it 70 yards to start the game," he said.
The dash ended up in the end zone to give YRHS a 6-0 lead and came on their first offensive series of the tilt.
Wayne Clark, YRHS assistant coach, was quite happy with the unfolding of Saturday's game, but reminded that the junior football program still has some work to do.
"I'm very happy to be making progress," he said following the win.
He added that the team's struggles from last season had carried into the team's first game.
The Raider juniors were handed a 14-0 setback in their season opener, a game Clark said was deadlocked in a scoreless tie entering the fourth quarter.
"Yorkton Minor Football is building," he went on to explain. "The attitude (here today) was certainly going for the win following the 14-0 loss in the opener.
With everything looking fine Saturday afternoon, the Raiders have taken advantage of a handful of several talented rookies.
"The defence needs some fine tuning," added Clark.
Regina was able to punch one in late in the fourth quarter, but Yorkton hung on for the win.
Stilborn added that YRHS needed to play aggressively in order to stay alive.
"They're aggressive," he said. "(Therefore) we needed to fly to the ball. Basically, if they do their job, we'd come out with the 'w'"
Darius Haberstock is one of a few who will dress for the high school team after spending some time with the minor system.
Clark suggested that Haberstock's experience is starting to show.
"He's a heck of an athlete," observed Clark.
Haberstock said he "expected to do well" today, adding that the defence improved.
NEXT ACTION
YRHS next heads to Regina where they will play the Packers Sept. 3 at 7 p.m., at Liebel Field. Their next home game goes Sept. 10 at 1:15 p.m., against the Regina Dinos.
