The U19 Central Alberta Fire began their season on a high note.
On Saturday evening at MEGlobal Athletic Park the Fire defeated the Airdrie Raiders 66-6 to start the 2024 U19 Female Football season undefeated.
Head coach Martin Rheaume said they played a great first half which set them up for success to finish the game.
“We were very happy and we started putting in our second stringers in there so they could get experience… We never plan to route a team but we do plan on running our plays as efficiently as possible,” he said.
Rheaume added that his team has already shown signs of improvement from last year in a season that saw them advance to the league final.
Despite that, there’s still plenty of improvement to be had.
“We’ve still got to practice. They’re playing well and understand it but there’s always things to adjust… We’re quite confident in our girls and their growth has been phenomenal, especially the veterans of the team,” he said.
“They’re definitely helping out our rookies who are stepping into new roles. That’s been awesome to see. They’re taking one another by the hand and helping each other out. It’s exactly what a coach wants to see.”
The Fire dominated on both sides of the ball. Red Deer’s bench boss explained they only play six players per side so defences are often at a disadvantage. With that in mind, he thought his defence had an exceptional game.
“They played a great game and we’re a bit of a high-risk high-reward defence and it paid off,” he added. “We were a well-oiled machine and they held Airdrie’s offence back.”
Following that game, the U16 Central Alberta Fire also suited up against the Leduc Cats beating them 51-0 in an exhibition game.
The U16 Fire will play their first regular season game next Sunday in Calgary against the Foothills Eagles immediately following the conclusion of the U19 Fire’s game also against the Eagles.
“When playing against any of the teams in our league there are no sure wins at all,” Rheaume said. “It’s whoever comes in best prepared and they have some excellent players on their side… We’re not taking them lightly. We’re going into that game fully prepared for a fight.”
The following week the U19 Fire will play a game at the home of the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders at McMahon Stadium against Lethbridge.
The Fire will then return home to play at Setters Place on Sunday, May 5 against the Calgary Wildcats. The U19s will kickoff at 11 a.m. followed by the U16s at 1 p.m.