The Hunting Hills Lightning are reigning champions of the Central Alberta High School Football League and they'd like to keep it that way.
Last year they won their first league title since 2019 in a 20-9 victory over the Notre Dame Cougars in the championship game. It was also their ninth championship victory since 2010.
They've become accustomed to winning and with that comes pressure to perform and head coach Kyle Sedgwick said his team can feel it.
"We've had a pretty good run and with that, I'd say every year the expectation is always there. It makes it more challenging for our players... It does add a little stress for our kids and it adds some to the coaches as well because we have to try to achieve that," he said.
"It's almost like if we don't have a successful season, which doesn't necessarily mean winning the league, but making sure we're in the mix. If we don't get to that level it's almost viewed as a disappointment."
However, that pressure isn't always a bad thing and Sedgwick expects it to fuel his team who opens the season against Camrose next Friday, Sept. 6 at Setters Place.
"We'd rather have that pressure than be a team that nobody is expecting anything from... Last year was last year and we had a great season but now it's this team's opportunity to try to make their mark."
Over the offseason, the Lightning lost some key players due to graduation including their starting quarterback Marek Filipek, runningback Ethan Bilo, and receiver Adnesse Pannenbecker.
This year they'll have 26 returners in Grades 11 and 12 with 19 in Grade 10 to fill out the remaining roster spots.
"We're excited with what we have. We have lots of returning players from last year who gained a lot of experience. I think some people are looking at some of the guys we graduated who are now all playing post-secondary but I think we've got enough guys back that we still expect to be in the mix," Sedgwick added.
"We've got a really big Grade 10 group coming up from bantam, which is great but the number of players we have on our roster that were on our team last year is the same as it was the year before.
"Experience is key and when guys are a part of having some success even if they're more role players that experience helps grow their confidence for the next year when they have to step into a bigger role."
Sedgwick said they expect to win a title every year with the culture they've built in the program over the last 15 years. They want to be playing late in the season and even contend for a provincial championship.
"Anything less would be considered an off-year for us and high school sports are cyclical. You're always going to have players who graduate so some years you think you have more talent or more experience but because of the kid's work ethic, we're most proud of how consistent we've been. That's the challenge. If we can get to a league final and get to provincials that's the consistency we want to have."
