Coming off a perfect Central Alberta High School Football League season, the defending champion Hunting Hills Lightning should be one of the favourites heading into the 2011 season.
However, head coach Kyle Sedgwick isn’t looking at it that way.
“We lost a lot of talent from last year and while from what I see we’re not bad, it’s tough to say how we’ll look, especially this early in the season,” he said. “There’s good and bad from what I see at practice. We’re athletic, but also younger and we’ll have to see how they perform.”
The Lightning, who received an opening week bye, will be tested today when they face the Lacombe Rams at 7:30 p.m. at Great Chief Park.
“A tough test for sure,” said Sedgwick. “They have a strong program. I understand they lost a lot of guys as well, but they have played once already (a 21-0 win over Rocky) so they’re ahead in that aspect. But it’s a good rivalry and it will be a good test for us right off the bat.”
The Lightning have a deep roster with 46 players in camp, but gone are three of the team’s top stars in quarterback Jon Boutin and running backs Stas McPhail and Tyler Lewis.
Senior Jesse Pawluk and Grade 11 Scott Pearson backed up Boutin last season and are in the running to take the No. 1 job this year along with Grade 10 bantam grad Jarrett Burzuk.
Matt Russell, also in Grade 10, is in the running to grab one of the running back slots along with Mark Beingessner, who was an all-star at linebacker last season, and Tim Pratt, who’ll likely play fullback.
“We lost two of the league’s top running backs, so we’ll have to see what we have,” said Sedgwick. “But as we gain experience we’ll be fine.”
The Lightning should have a solid offensive line with Grade 11 centre Bryce Johnson, guard Devin Altheim and tackle David Rowe, who is still recovering from a slight injury.
Many of the offensive linemen will see duty on the defensive side as well, at least early in the season,
Beingessner is slotted in at middle linebacker with Grade 12 Ryan Myles at strong side outside ’backer.
“What we don’t have here is a lot of depth,” said Sedgwick. “So it’s important to stay healthy early and develop some of the other kids.”
Shane Gasser returns in the defensive backfield and will start at safety with Darion Grymaloski, a transfer from Innisfail, at defensive back. Rookie Ashton Hall will also play corner and work as a receiver on the offence.
While Sedgwick knows this season will be tougher than last year, he’s still excited about what he sees.
“From one through 46 I believe we have more athletic ability than last year,” he said. “We’re raw, but a lot of the kids have come up through the minor system and understand the game.”
drode@www.reddeeradvocate.com