Colts football reflects on wild season, honours graduating players

The clock struck midnight for the Swift Current Comp Colts football team on October 28 in what had been a bit of a Cinderella season for the team.

The Colts fell 59-2 to the Yorkton Comp Raiders in the championship game of the Moose Jaw High School Football League.

Swift Current still didn't leave empty-handed in the loss though, as they were awarded a plaque as the 'Most Sportsmanlike Team' in the MJHSFL.

Swift Current wasn't able to duplicate their recent success on both sides of the ball that saw a 24-0 quarter-final win over the Weyburn Eagles, and most recently a 36-15 beating of the Moose Jaw Peacock Tornadoes in the semi-final.

The second place finish marks the second-straight year the Colts fell in the final. After beating the Yorkton Raiders in last year's semi-final, the Colts were handed a 57-20 loss to Moose Jaw Peacock - a role reversal from 2017's playoff picture.

The Colts opened this year's regular season with a 39-14 road win over the Eagles, before suffering a 34-14 home loss under the lights to the Moose Jaw Central Cyclones, a 42-15 home loss to Peacock, and a 65-13 loss in Yorkton to the Raiders.

That Cinderella story of sorts started after that 1-3 start to the season.

Swift Current was next in Moose Jaw against Vanier for what head coach Derek Murdoch dubbed a "must-win" game for his team. They did just that, edging the Vikings in a 28-21 comeback win, leap-frogging the Moose Jaw team in the standings in the process.

Then in the regular season finale, the Colts started their stretch of dominant defense as they cruised to a 44-0 win at Colts Field over the Estevan Elecs.

Courtesy of a shocking win by the Vanier Vikings over the Central Cyclones in their respective regular-season finale, the Colts managed to secure that home playoff berth against Weyburn ahead of their first victory over Peacock since 1999.

Despite the lopsided loss to end the season, the Colts certainly have left a lasting impression in what will be a very memorable season for years to come - something Colts head coach Derek Murdoch knows they need to work hard to continue for next season.

"There's going to be no guarantees next year that we're going to get three or four wins, just because we had a good year this year," Murdoch said. "We know that everybody else in our league is going to be working hard. We know that Yorkton is going to be motivated by losing in the provincial final so they're going to be good, Peacock isn't going to be happy about being the group that lost to us - Everybody's got something, and they're all going to be working hard. We have to work hard too if we're going to continue this evolution."

The season was celebrated officially for the final time at the Colts Football Awards Banquet held in the Cafetorium of the Swift Current Comprehensive High School. Not only were awards handed out, but the 19 graduating players were honoured for their commitment to the program as well.

2017 Graduating Players:

Nic Bachiu, Danny Buller, Jayden Cooke, Ryan Girardeau, Emmett Guider, Josh Keller, Matthew Kimpinski, Dylan Kurtz, Spencer Linsley, Carson Modien, Wade Klaassen, Jarrod Quintin, Josh Reimer, Trey Robichaud, Konner Samson, Jackson Schneider, Andrew Steinley, Parker Strojwas, and Karson Stubbins.

"It's fun to recognize those guys, you know it is tough because you create these unbelievable relationships with these outstanding young men, and you spend a lot of time with them so you get pretty close with them, and you get to know them really well," Murdoch said. "You feel happy for them when things go well, and you hurt for them when things are tough. It's a great night seeing how much it means to the guys and their parents - it's a lot of fun."

Nic Bachiu echoed the sentiments of his head coach, also discussing the relationships among teammates.

"I've never really come onto a team and felt more like a family," said Bachiu. "On this team, we had 50 guys - we all got to know each other and it was great. It was a good honour to be a Colt."

While defensive star, Josh Keller, who was named the MJHSFL's Defensive MVP as voted collectively by the league's coaching staffs, shared his thoughts on the team and his passion for the sport itself.

"It's been awesome really, it's just the camaraderie with the team and all the boys - it's awesome. I've never felt anything like it in any other sport," Keller said. "It's also playing, getting playing time, hitting guys - you know, I love that part of the game too."

Both graduating players certainly would have the backing of the remaining 17 players in their graduating class with exit thoughts, so to speak.

"My best luck and my best wishes," said Bachiu. "Obviously I want to see the Colts do well and I'll forever be a Colt, so good luck to the boys next year."

"Just keep battling, no matter what happens... Just don't quit," added Keller.

Award winners for the evening were:

Rookie of the Year - Josh Camarador