INNISFAIL - The Innisfail Cyclones 9-Man football team wrapped up its season on Saturday, Oct. 15, with a crushing victory over the Bowden Blazers in its final game of the regular season.
Despite the snow and cold temperatures the Cyclones downed the Blazers 82 to 6 on their home field at Innisfail High School.
The Cyclones are one of six teams in the 9-Man Mountain View Football Conference (MVFC) this year. Teams include those from Strathmore, Didsbury, Sundre, Innisfail, Carstairs and newcomer Bowden.
Trevor Wooff, the Cyclones' head coach, said he was pleased with his team's effort this season and noted its undefeated record of 5-0-1.
“We've had no losses (this season) so we're still undefeated," said Wooff, noting the short season began in September.
"We played (Bowden) in back-to-back games, last week on Thursday and Saturday. Every team plays one of the other teams twice to get us our six games," said Wooff.
Experience and growth combined with strength in numbers helped the Cyclones this season, he noted.
"I've seen a lot of maturity and a lot of growth with a lot of the guys that were in Grade 10 and Grade 11 that won the two (previous) championships and are now in Grade 12," explained Wooff, noting they also help teach some of the younger players.
“We have 28 guys on the roster this year. Last year we finished the season with 14."
The week of Oct. 22 is a bye-week and final standings won't be confirmed until then, said Woof, noting his team is currently tied for first place in the league with Strathmore, and won't know who their opponent is until final standings.
Regardless of who they play in the playoffs, he feels his team is ready and preparing well.
Playoffs run over two upcoming weekends with the top four teams competing.
The playoffs begin Oct. 29 with the semifinals, and the championship game will be held Nov. 5.
“Come playoffs it'll be the Grade 12s playing," said Wooff. "We're not adding anything new right now, we're just sharpening our plays and sharpening our skills and getting ready to play in the playoffs."
In the past two years, the post-season has been favourable to the strong and resilient Cyclones team, bringing them two back-to-back championship titles.
"They're a great bunch of kids. Our goal is to try and keep the (undefeated) record intact, but it's a lofty goal we're trying to attain," said Wooff. "We almost blew it this season, we almost lost the game that we tied, but the boys recovered from that and came back.”
Whether they place first or second in the league's final standings, Innisfail will host a semifinal match, he noted.
“We'll have a home playoff game on October 29 here (in Innisfail) and then depending on who wins those games, that will decide where we go for the (championship) weekend," Wooff concluded.
Trevor Wooff, Cyclones head coach
"I've seen a lot of maturity and a lot of growth with a lot of the guys that were in Grade 10 and Grade 11 that won the two (previous) championships and are now in Grade 12."
