More than 100 people are expected to turn out to the high school football field this weekend for provincial finals between the Innisfail Pee Wee Cyclones and Calgary Colts.
鈥淲e鈥檙e unbelievably pumped,鈥� said assistant coach and offensive coordinator, James Thompson, of hosting the provincial game. 鈥淲hat I love is, people not even into football have gotten wrapped up in the Cyclones hoopla,鈥� he said of people phoning him up or stopping him in the street to congratulate the team. 鈥淭he whole town is backing us. I think it鈥檚 because the bantam team folded and the high school team folded. I think everyone wants to get behind one football club and see it move forward.鈥�
The Cyclones beat out Strathmore Spartans 52-0 Nov. 5 as the Central Alberta rep for the provincial finals. This past weekend the northern rep (Leduc Wildcats) took on the southern rep (Calgary Colts) to determine who would play against the Cyclones this weekend.
鈥淭he (provincial) competition has traditionally always been the city teams, so the best of the best cities playing off each other 鈥� it鈥檚 going to be an unreal game because it鈥檚 the best of the cities playing against us,鈥� he said of what to expect this weekend.
Last year the Cyclones placed third. Thompson credits the increased number of players 鈥� 20 senior players up from three last year and a total roster of 32, as well as additional coaching and help from high school students providing individual assessments as reasons for their success.
鈥淚 think, just having the team with its success, it鈥檚 going to generate a three-year wave I鈥檓 predicting,鈥� he said of interest from the community. 鈥淚f someone can harness it, it鈥檒l carry on.鈥�
He said he鈥檚 already hearing from students in high school asking if there鈥檒l be a bantam team next year, and young kids already asking to join the peewee team next year.
This weekend鈥檚 game begins at 1 p.m. and coach Wally Genz and Thompson are asking for a voluntary admission of one non-perishable food item that will be donated to the Innisfail Food Bank.
They鈥檙e also hoping to get as many community members as possible out to the game.
鈥淲hen Calgary comes out they bring a huge entourage. We鈥檝e got to take advantage of the home advantage.鈥�
