Lightning 29 Rams 0
The Hunting Hills Lightning still have some growing to do to be on a par to last year’s undefeated Central Alberta High School Football League championship team, but there’s still a lot of positive signs as displayed in a 29-0 win over the Lacombe Rams before 419 fans at Great Chief Park Friday .
“We’re still learning, but we have some new guys who stepped in this year and are showing they’re leaders,” said the Lightning’s outstanding middle linebacker Mark Beingessner, who is also starting at tailback.
It was the opening game of the season for the Lightning, while the Rams saw their record slip to 1-1.
“We were able to take advantage of the bye week and worked hard to prepare,” said Beingessner, who enjoys playing both ways, but still has some work to do on offence. “It’s new starting at tailback, but it’s been good.”
Scott Pearson made his first start at quarterback, replacing Jon Boutin.
“He did a great job . . . I was impressed,” said Beingessner. “It’s his first game as a starter and he was a bit nervous, but he did a good job of directing the offence.”
Friday’s victory resembled last season as the Lightning dumped the Rams in their opener and never looked back.
“It’s a new year and everything is new, but it was a good start against one of our rivals,” said Beingessner, who realizes the Lightning have a bullseye on their backs.
“For sure, but it’s a good position to be in.”
The Lightning looked every bit like a championship calibre team in the first half as they scored almost at will.
Pearson connected with Shane Gasser on a 16-yard touchdown strike at 5:52. The Lightning picked up a safety at 6:42 and 39 seconds later Tim Pratt bulled his way in from the 14 to make it 16-0.
Darion Grymaloski returned an interception 59 yards at 11:24 and when Gasser kicked his third convert it was 23-0 after the first quarter. Gasser kicked field goals of 30 and 36 yards in the second quarter to put a lid on the scoring.
“A good first quarter and a half, but that about it,” said Lightning head coach Kyle Sedgwick. “The second half wasn’t good as we used a lot of different players and we’re still trying to bring our young guys along slowly. Even a lot of our veterans are playing new positions so they’re learning.”
Sedgwick couldn’t have been happier with Beingessner’s play as he seemed to be in on half the tackles.
“And he’s learning a new spot. Last year he was on the outside and their year in the middle he has new reads. As well he’s learning the tailback spot.”
The Lightning defence was especially solid as they limited the Rams to a minus 17 yards on the ground and 56 in the air. The Lightning had only 130 yards on the ground and 43 in the air.
“But our defence and special teams were solid, they continually gave us good field position, especially in the first half,” said Sedgwick.
Pratt had 40 yards on six carries, Beingessner 35 on nine, Matt Russell 29 on eight tries and Pearson 26 on three carries.
Rams new head coach, Greg Esteves, knows they have a lot of work to do.
“It’s one of those years,” he said. “We’re still growing, but the coaches have to do a better job of preparing them. We came out flat and that was the story. But give them credit, they were well prepared and surprised us a bit with their speed and defence.”
The Lightning face the Lindsay Thurber Raiders Friday at 7:30 p.m.
In other league action the West Central Rebels downed the Wetaskiwin Sabres 17-2 in Rocky Mountain House.
Chris Soodsma had a touchdown, field goal and two converts for the Rebels while Joshua Murphy added a touchdown. The Sabres had a safety.