The Innisfail Cyclones 9-man football team wasted no time getting down to business Saturday.
In the first game of the season, the Cyclones downed the Didsbury Dragons 33-2 but the lopsided score was a bit misleading said head coach Trevor Wooff.
"We both had mistakes and things happened. You could tell it was the first game of the season for both teams," said Wooff.
Mother Nature cooperated and the crowds came out to cheer on their hometown team.
"It turned out good. It was a really good day for football (weather wise) that way and crowds were good too," he said.
The Cyclones are the two-time defending Mountain View 9 Man Football League champs and will be joined by five other teams this year, including league newcomer the Bowden Blazers.
"A team from Bowden has joined us this year. They played 6-man (football) last year and now they've come up to play 9-man football," explained Wooff. "The kids will know each other fairly well because they're community teams and because of the area (proximity to Bowden)."
Innisfail hit the field in mid-August to begin practices said Wooff, noting a solid team of returning veterans mixed with a few rookies. They feel hopeful to defend their title and make this season their third consecutive as league champs.
"We expect to do well. We've got 28 players and half of those are Grade 12s so we definitely have the experience," said Wooff, noting the two previous championship teams were comprised of players now in grades 11 and 12. "They're chomping at the bit to play and to three-peat. We definitely have the experience and talent.”
He noted the other half of the team is made up of Grade 10 players and a few rookies.
“We have our inexperienced side too," said Wooff, adding that all players will contribute equally to the team this season. "We have a rule that after our first game we really don't have any rookies. We just find the best place for everybody to play."
The Cyclones' next game is on the road in Strathmore Sept. 17. For more information visit www.mv9manfootball.ca
