The Dryden Eagles go for their fourth title since joining the Winnipeg High School Football League today (Wednesday).
The Eagles face the undefeated Kildonan East Reivers.
Defensive Back Coach Braydon Hansson says, “There’s a little bit of some nerves obviously representing Northwestern Ontario in the championship game but I know that our players are up for the challenge and they are just thrilled and excited to get out there and play some ball.”
Hansson has experience in the big game and he delivers the following message to the players.
“Play to their best abilities. Play fundamentally sound football. Go out there and just leave it all on the field. This is your last chance for the year and for some it’s their last chance of their career in high school football.”
The Reivers defeated in the Eagles in regular season play.
Hansson says, “We shot ourselves in the foot in a couple of areas but I know that we’re up to the challenge and we look at this team as a really good match-up that we can play against and play well. Taking the loss from them we’ve been able to reassess our game plan and find ways to shutdown the Reivers and we hope to do just that.”
It could be a defensive showdown as Kildonan East has only surrendered double digit points against once, that in the semi-final against Beaver Brae while Dryden’s defence has recorded 3 shutouts in 8 games played.
The Eagles coaching staff say that both teams will want to attempt to run the ball, the Reivers favour an outside rushing attack with speedy backs while DHS counters with power and the option.
Kick-off is 5:00 pm at IG Field, home of the Blue Bombers.
Hansson says, “You can easily get lost in the light and just how big the stadium is but the messaging we’re telling everyone is you’re still playing football and at the end of the day go out there and play football. Try not to get lost in the light. Take in the experience, it’s a great experience, but at the end of the day we’re out there playing football.”
