Creighton Community School is getting ready to make history as it prepares for the start of its first ever six-man football season next week.
Coach Jason Straile had already begun teaching a few students the basics of the sport at the end of last school year, but says he is now eager to get going. Practices will officially begin on Tuesday.
“Anyone going into Grade 9 through Grade 12 is [eligible] to play,” said Straile, who is also the schools’ vice principal.
“We’re not looking at cutting anyone because of skill. [You] come out and work hard and you can play on the team.”
Practices and tryouts are open to all students who meet the age requirements, but Straile says a limited number of players will be dressed each game.
“There’s only a certain [amount] of equipment because it is not a cheap sport,” he said.
Each game will see 20 Creighton Kodiaks dressed and ready to play. And while not everyone will have a chance to play every game, Straile encourages all interested students to attend practices.
Strong diversity
Talk of bringing football to Creighton Community School began earlier this year and word quickly spread to all corners of the school.
Straile has seen interest from roughly five female students and about 20 male students since conversations and flag football games started in June.
Football gives all types of students the chance to play, said the coach.
Interestingly enough, Straile says the majority of students showing interest in the new program are those who have not been a part of team sports in the past.
“There’s so many positions that anyone can play and that is what’s great about football,” he said. “Size, sex and athletic ability aren’t as important as some of the other sports.”
For example, Straile says it is an advantage for volleyball players to be tall and lean. In football, being tall in lean is an advantage in one position while being short and strong is a plus in another position.
“So, you really have all types of players who can play,” he said. “I think what gets everyone so excited about football is that if you want to put the work in, and effort, then anyone can play.”
Used to the weight
The Kodiaks started with flag football and classroom sessions at the end of the school year to familiarize themselves with football.
But with the season approaching quickly, the students had to change gears from flag to six-man football.
The athletes have had opportunity to wear the required football gear and get accustomed to its weight.
Each player will wear roughly six pounds of equipment. That may not sound like much, but as Straile says, “It’s putting on the shoulder pads and pants and then wearing the helmet and running to try and catch a football.
“The bulk of it and the width is really hard to get used to, especially throwing to a quarterback.”
Schedule set
The Kodiaks will play four games this football season before the start of playoffs. They start their season in Sandy Bay against the Timberwolves on Sept. 11 before hosting their home opener on Sept. 18 against Cumberland House.
The Kodiaks will welcome the Timberwolves to Creighton Sept. 25 before their last game of the regular season on Oct. 2 in La Ronge.
Six-man football features one of the shortest seasons, but with good reason.
“It’s a collision sport,” Straile said, “and having that rest in between games is important.”
The Saskatchewan High School Athletics Association requires all football players to take a minimum of 72 hours as a break following a game.
The Kodiaks, like the other nine teams playing in the Northern Saskatchewan Football League, will practice the first four days of the week, play on Thursdays and then rest until the following Monday.
“Just because they only play one game a week doesn’t mean that’s all they are doing,” said Straile.
And even though it is a short season, the coach says the students are already “loving it.”
