Category Archives: Sports

Davidson, featured, Loreburn, Sports

Area teams reconnect as RaiTec hosts home tourney

The Davidson/Loreburn RaiTec poses with their award after winning the consolation prize at their home tournament in Davidson on Oct. 1. Pictured are (back row from left) Nevada Wightman, Lauren Bueckert, Elena Nykiforuk, Jocelyn Millham, Chase Lyn Dean; (front row) Tori Rendall, Gracie Allan, Lynzey Sanden and Brianna Jess.
The Davidson/Loreburn RaiTec poses with their award after winning the consolation prize at their home tournament in Davidson on Oct. 1. Pictured are (back row from left) Nevada Wightman, Lauren Bueckert, Elena Nykiforuk, Jocelyn Millham, Chase Lyn Dean; (front row) Tori Rendall, Gracie Allan, Lynzey Sanden and Brianna Jess.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Keeping track of eight teams and their busy schedules kept organizers on their toes last weekend.

The Davidson/Loreburn RaiTec hosted its annual senior girls volleyball tournament on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.

Team manager Sandra Baldwin said players and coaches have gotten to know each other well thanks to this and other tournaments.

“People were here for more than just volleyball,” she said, adding that six teams stayed overnight in the school, with the canteen team serving breakfast on Saturday.

“It was just a ton of fun,” Baldwin continued. “It was just a really good weekend (with) strong volleyball.”

Kahkewistahaw defeated Elrose in the final on Saturday to take the championship title for the weekend.

The tournament began with round-robin play on Friday night. Pool A teams competed in Davidson, with Kahkewistahaw coming in first place, Elrose in second, Davidson/Loreburn in third and Beechy/Kyle/Lucky Lake in fourth.

Pool B teams competed in Loreburn. Plenty finished in first place, Eston in second, Assiniboia in third and Biggar in fourth.

For the full story, see the Oct. 10 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Elbow, featured, Sports

Jackpot event draws rodeo riders, fans to Elbow

Beth Manz is seen riding "Jet" in the barrel racing jackpot competition at Elbow on Oct. 1.
Beth Manz is seen riding “Jet” in the barrel racing jackpot competition at Elbow on Oct. 1.

By Joel van der Veen

ELBOW — With short notice and a late date, organizers of last weekend’s jackpot event in Elbow weren’t sure what to expect.

As it turned out, they had so many entries they had to move the start time back, plus a large crowd of spectators and a sunny day to boot (eventually).

“I was overwhelmed,” said Kelly Holbrook last week. “It was just fantastic.”

More than 100 contestants came to Elbow for the barrel racing and team roping jackpot event on Oct. 1, organized by the Lakeshore Stampede Rodeo Committee.

In addition to the rodeo events, a beer gardens and concession stand were operated at the site.

Organizers said they expected to clear roughly $4,000 from the event, with proceeds being used to organize a KCRA rodeo in Elbow in July 2017.

For the first time in more than 20 years, the village did not host a full-fledged rodeo this year, due largely to a lack of volunteers.

Holbrook said the turnout proved that the rodeo was missed. Plans are already moving ahead for next year’s event, which will be affiliated with the Kakeyow Cowboys Rodeo Association (KCRA).

In doing so, Holbrook said, they hope to have a more “family-focused” event that can include competitors at all ages and skill levels.

The KCRA schedule is organized so each local rodeo takes place over two days without overlapping, thereby allowing a high level of participation in each one.

“It’s a way different environment,” she said, adding that the KCRA has been steadily growing in recent years. “We cover the whole province for membership now.”

For the full story, see the Oct. 10 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Davidson, featured, Sports

Raiders on a rampage

From left, Cole Murfitt, Rylan Slemming and Ryan Skinner of the Davidson Raiders attempt to head off the Outlook Blues' Austin Bahnman during the Sept. 23 senior football game.
From left, Cole Murfitt, Rylan Slemming and Ryan Skinner of the Davidson Raiders attempt to head off the Outlook Blues’ Austin Bahnman during the Sept. 23 senior football game.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — A cold snap last weekend took nothing away from the Raiders’ crackle and pop.

The Raiders hosted the Outlook Blues in a rematch under grey skies on Sept. 23, with Davidson dominating from start to finish, ending with a 72-6 victory.

Coach Jason Low said the game provided many of the team’s younger players with an opportunity to shine in front of a hometown crowd.

“We spent a lot of time with rookies on the field, which is nice,” he said, adding that they “all did really well.”

The juniors made a strong contribution to the win, including Grade 10 students Clay Murfitt, Tristan Stacowich and Derek Schmiedge.

Low said their playing was so effective that the Outlook coaches inquired afterward to double-check that they were, in fact, younger players.

The head coach also said he was pleased by his team’s display of character despite the lopsided win.

“They’re really good at still maintaining that good sportsmanship,” said Low.

For the full story, please see the Oct. 3 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Davidson, featured, Hanley, Sports

Sabers pull ahead of Raiders in fourth quarter

Hanley's Evan Ashdown lunges towards Davidson's Andrew Read during a senior football game at Hanley Composite School on Sept. 19.
Hanley’s Evan Ashdown lunges towards Davidson’s Andrew Read during a senior football game at Hanley Composite School on Sept. 19.

By Joel van der Veen

HANLEY — A hometown rivalry was renewed as the Hanley Sabers hosted the Davidson Raiders last weekend.

Spectators from across the district flocked to the Hanley field for the senior football game on Sept. 16.

Both teams played an aggressive game, with Hanley leading 26-22 at the midway point. The Sabers pulled away for good in the fourth quarter, winning 69-50, but the Raiders kept the fight up till the very end.

“It was a very tight game, as we had expected,” said Sabers coach Mark Anderson.

He said his team was able to take advantage of its larger roster, while fatigue was a factor for the Raiders with players going in both directions.

Still, Anderson said, he was impressed by the fight Davidson put up, pointing to quarterback Andrew Read in particular.

“He made a lot of plays on broken plays,” he said, adding that it was “hard to stop somebody who is that elusive.”

Raiders coach Jason Low said the game was a team effort from start to finish, and “probably our best performance to date.”

“We really feel competitive this year,” he said, noting the team is “in a good spot to win every game we play.”

He acknowledged that fatigue was a factor as the game went on, adding that allowing two kick-return touchdowns cost the Raiders.

For the full story, see the Sept. 26 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Davidson, featured, Sports

Raiders caught in Rockets’ red glare

Davidson's Addison Ouellette protects the ball from an Assiniboia attack during a senior football game on Sept. 9.
Davidson’s Addison Ouellette protects the ball from an Assiniboia attack during a senior football game on Sept. 9.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — The Raiders were expecting a tough fight from Assiniboia last weekend, and they did not disappoint.

The visiting Assiniboia Rockets handed Davidson their first loss of the season, with a final score of 52-36, in the Sept. 9 senior football game.

Raiders coach Jason Low was upbeat despite the loss, saying the experience served to prepare the team for the challenges they’ll face in the rest of the season.

“We knew it wasn’t going to be easy,” he said Wednesday, noting that Assiniboia had a 5-1 record last season and reached the provincial quarter-finals.

Assiniboia’s Riley Moneo was first to score in Friday’s game, followed shortly by a touchdown by Davidson’s Addison Ouellette.

For the full story, please see the Sept. 16 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Craik, Davidson, featured, Kenaston, Sports

Raiders start with a smash

Clay Murfitt (80) of the Davidson Raiders heads for the end zone during the team's season opener against the Outlook Blues on Thursday.
Clay Murfitt (80) of the Davidson Raiders heads for the end zone during the team’s season opener against the Outlook Blues on Thursday.

By Joel van der Veen

OUTLOOK — As they kicked off their season on Thursday, the Davidson Raiders were feeling the heat in more ways than one.

The temperature hovered close to 30°C with a cloudless sky overhead as the senior football team visited the Outlook Blues for their season opener.

Hopes were high for coaches, players and fans alike, all anticipating a big year for the Raiders.

“We’re hoping to make a big run,” said head coach Jason Low, calling the current lineup “the best team on the field that Davidson’s had, up to this point.”

The Raiders delivered on those hopes with a triumphant 90-38 win over Outlook.

Davidson led from the start, with Dawson George scoring the team’s opening touchdown four minutes into the first quarter.

The first half saw the Raiders giving up little ground, holding the Blues to just one TD, scored by Jeff Pshyk near the end of the first quarter.

The Raiders’ offensive had similar success with repeated touchdowns and a couple of successful conversions by kicker Morgan Manz, bringing the score to 54-8 at the halfway mark.

A large lead gave Davidson freedom to rotate its lineup in the second half, allowing younger players plenty of time on the field.

Though Outlook made some progress, the Raiders continued to dominate, taking the tally to 76-30 in the third quarter.

Low and the other coaches were clearly pleased with the results.

“We feel pretty darn good about it,” said Low, adding that after the first offensive and defensive series, “we realized that things were going to work for us.”

For the full story and a full page of photos, please see the Sept. 5 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.