Getting a chance to see some new and returning talents, the Swift Current Comp. Colts football team held their Spring Camp this week.

The camp ran from Monday through to Thursday, but won't wrap up until June 12th when they run a scrimmage.

"The guys are really excited and the energy has been really high for four days now," Colts Head Coach Derek Murdoch said following Thursday's practice. "Everybody will get a couple days off with the weekend but then we will be back at it on Monday. We will work on some stuff, but call it a scrimmage day and let the guys play and just see what we've got. We have been moving a few pieces around, and there are a bunch of new guys coming up from the bantam team, but it has been very positive so far."

The Colts are coming off of one of their most successful seasons in recent years, going all the way to the Moose Jaw 3A 12-Man Football League championship game.

Although the team graduated many key contributors from the 2016 team, Murdoch was pleased with what he saw this week from the younger talent.

"We're really excited about some of the guys that are coming up on the defensive side of the ball," he said. "Having watched all of the bantam games last year, I knew that their defence was legit, and there were some guys we had identified in their linebacking and defensive back group that would probably have the chance to get on the field for us, and they have been very good this week. We have a running back moving up that will probably get a chance to play since we graduated a couple of guys."

Murdoch added that everyone attending the camp was giving a full effort.

"The thing I really like is they are football players," he said. "They want to be really competitive, they are taking everything we throw at them."

Fortunately for Swift Current, not all of their contributors last season were grade 12 athletes.

There are some key returning pieces that Murdoch feels can help guide the Colts this year.

"We have got guys who have been here," he said. "Last year, Parker Strauss was a grade 11 running back, who, when he got the chance was very good and he has been great this week. On the defensive side we have a guy like Josh Kehler, who was one of our big defensive pieces last year, so he is kind of our leader on the defence. Everybody is working hard, communicating, and the guys have been awesome in welcoming the new guys as well."

The Colts start their 2017 regular season on September 9th with a trip to Weyburn, before playing their first home game the evening on Thursday, September 14.

However, between now and then there are still a lot of practices to be run and battles to be had.

As the 2017 opener continues to draw closer though, Murdoch can't help but enjoy the competition that Spring Camp provides.

"I think the big idea for us, this week and for sure in the Fall, is stressing the competition," he said. "Letting them know that we have some spots open and if you want to get on the field, it is going to be the guys who show they are going to battle and be competitive every day."