Despite the fold of the varsity football program in Innisfail, the devoted found a way to continue playing.
Luke Marshall, Grade 12 linebacker, travels to Sylvan Lake almost every day for practice and elsewhere over the weekends for games. He travels with another student to Sylvan Lake and another student transferred to Hunting Hills.
“I wanted to stay at Innisfail for school and they (Sylvan Lake) gave me the opportunity,” said Marshall of his decision.
With the regular season over last week, Marshall and the other Lakers are now gearing up for playoffs this week.
“It’s been going really well,” he said of the season that has the Lakers in second spot for the league.
Travelling to Sylvan Lake has been worth it for Marshall who has his sights set on playing for university teams.
“Hopefully I will. I’ll try for university football, it would be a great opportunity,” he said, adding he’s been brushing up on SATs practice so if the opportunity knocks, he can head south to play.
Last year, Marshall performed at a combine that brought in scouts from different universities to check out students’ skills.
“They look at our 40s, bench press, jumps speeds, skill tests, that sort of thing,” he explained. “I went to one last year so I know what to expect and the extra experience should help.”
Marshall started playing football in Grade 7, the first year peewee football was offered in Innisfail. He hopes to see the sport offered again at the senior level.
“The peewees are coming to the end of their season undefeated. I sure hope the numbers can turn over next season to get a bantam section going again and get it growing from there.”
