Loreburn’s Emmitt Hundeby returns the ball during a junior boys volleyball game on Sept. 16. Also pictured are Jackson Allan of Davidson (left) and Dylan Glubis of Loreburn.
By Joel van der Veen
LOREBURN — Whether you were playing, officiating or sitting in the stands, it felt like fall in the Loreburn rink last weekend.
Fifteen teams competed in Loreburn’s junior boys and girls RAVE volleyball tournament on Sept. 16, with the action divided between the arena and the gym at Loreburn Central School.
With fall temperatures setting in, spectators and players on the bench sought refuge in winter coats and heavy blankets, while active players and officials had to find other means to conserve their body heat.
Sue Ann Abbott, who was keeping track of game results, said the rink warmed up as the day went on — “not a great deal, but enough to make it more comfortable for the referees and the people sitting in there.”
Three courts were set up on the concrete floor of the skating rink, while the school gym served as the fourth court.
The day began with round-robin play and ended with playoff games. Ten girls teams and five boys teams competed.
Hanley’s Parker Mooney (23) heads off Viscount’s Bryce Welter (8) during Thursday’s senior football game.
By Joel van der Veen
HANLEY — A 72-21 win in their home opener gave the Hanley Sabers a solid start to their new season.
Hanley hosted the Viscount Vikings on Thursday in 1A six-man senior football action.
Though the visiting team remained competitive through the first half, the Sabers led throughout and ran away with the game in the fourth quarter, in which they added 30 points to their score.
While he was pleased with the outcome, Sabers coach Mark Anderson also said there was lots of work ahead for the team.
In particular, he said there was room for improvement with the team’s offensive line, saying they displayed skill but needed to work on their timing.
“On offence we have so many new starters,” said Anderson. “They’re just not clicking yet.”
The coach said he was feeling positive, given the team Hanley has this year and the high level of commitment they are showing.
Jacob Schilling and teammates take part in an agility drill at a senior football practice in Davidson on Aug. 28.
By Joel van der Veen
DAVIDSON — An uncertain week gave way to optimism on Thursday as Davidson coaches agreed to move forward on another season of senior football.
Early last week, the coming season appeared to be in jeopardy with nine or 10 players showing up at the first two practices, well short of the minimum number required for a six-man team.
But Thursday’s practice drew 14 players, said coach Jason Low, adding that he’s also waiting to hear from “maybe a few more who are on the fence.”
“We decided to give it a go,” he said Friday in a phone call from Outlook, where he was attending a coaching convention hosted by Football Saskatchewan.
The Davidson Raiders will begin their season with a home game against Lanigan on Friday, Sept. 8, at 4 p.m.
The team plays in the 2A league in a conference that also includes Assiniboia, Preeceville, Watrous and Wynyard. (Watson was originally part of the league but had to drop out due to low player numbers.)
Davidson’s coaching staff this year includes Low, John Jamieson and Garrett Bailey, along with Greg Bennett, a new addition to the staff at Davidson School. (Bailey and Bennett are also leading the school’s junior football program.)
Kenaston principal Greg McJannet is joining the coaching staff of the Outlook High School Blues, where his son is on the roster. Trevor Ouellette, whose son Addison graduated last year, also decided to retire from coaching football after last season.
The Raiders have a co-op agreement with three area schools, allowing players from Craik, Kenaston and Loreburn to play on the team.
The senior team met three times last week and will soon transition into its regular schedule of early-morning practices.
Low attributed the low initial turnout to a couple of factors, including some miscommunication. For instance, he said some out-of-town parents were unaware of the co-op arrangement and didn’t know their kids were eligible to play.
As well, some potential players have chosen to focus on one specific sport like basketball.
Eight players graduated from Grade 12 last year, including much of the team’s offensive core.
This year Davidson also has to contend with a small Grade 12 class, meaning fewer potential players.
“We’re kind of back to our drawing board this year,” said Low, calling it something of an “anomaly year.”
While the coach wasn’t sure about what the season would hold, he said he’s looking forward to it, adding that the players have demonstrated their enthusiasm and willingness to work hard.
Last year Davidson finished the regular season in third place out of four teams in their conference with two wins and four losses. They lost 49-12 to Assiniboia in the first round of playoffs.
Aidan Haraldson, left, and Hunter Wightman bring their horses to a halt during a meet in Davidson on Aug. 19.
By Joel van der Veen
DAVIDSON — Local horseback riders wrapped up their season with a western performance and gymkhana event at the Davidson rodeo grounds on Aug. 19.
The Davidson Riding Club hosted the event, their sixth and last meet of the season, though several riders have qualified to compete in provincial finals next month.
The club’s membership includes riders from Davidson and other nearby communities, and as far away as Saskatoon.
Riders are divided into seven age groups. Members of the local club range in age from three years to 60-plus, with the eldest being categorized as “Pioneers.”
“If you’re still riding at that age, it’s quite a compliment,” said organizer Gloria Kadlec.
JC Manz, age 3, was the youngest rider at Saturday’s event, riding by herself for the first time on Blackie, a Shetland pony. Her mom Beth was close by.
Other local riders included Hunter Wightman in the Junior C age group. His horse, Lacey, had been out of commission for most of the season, recovering from an abscess in one hoof.
Competitors are judged and assigned points in different categories.
For the full story, please see the Aug. 28 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.
