FCC2018 PREVIEW: SASKATCHEWAN

At the 2017 Football Canada Cup, Saskatchewan was less than a minute away from winning gold.

However, with 19.2 seconds left in the game, their fortunes changed when Quebec scored a touchdown to deny them their goal.

Still stinging from the disappointment of that game, Team Saskatchewan is coming into this year’s event in Calgary, Alberta with their focus on one objective.

“There is really only one goal and that is to win gold,” said Head Coach Jeff Stusek.  “Saskatchewan has won silver the last three out of four, losing that gold medal game it’s a privilege and honour to get to that game.”

“We need to win that game; that is our goal.”

To get there, the team is coming in with a gritty approach to the game.

“They are going to be striving and driving towards that goal in any way, shape or form it has to take,” Stusek elaborated.  “This is a group of players that can do and will do whatever it takes for us to be successful.”

This year marks a changing of the guard with Team Saskatchewan.

After eight years of coaching at the tournament, Sheldon Gray has turned over the reins to Stusek. The last two years, Stusek was the Special Team Coordinator of the provincial team.

While it may be a different leader at the helm, the philosophy remains the same.

“Saskatchewan teams are pretty consistent in their character” he commented of the team.  “We’re usually a hard-nosed team, a grinder type; we don’t boast a ton of stars.”

“We come from a small population province but we produce a lot of football guys that are tough so you should expect the same – a non-descript but hard-nosed football team.”

Saskatchewan will come into the tournament with three quarterbacks on offence – Keegan Kaytor, Luke Hornung and Noah Pelletier.

“They are diverse from tall gun-slinger to cerebral understands schemes gets the ball in the right spot to mobile,” he said of the quarterback’s styles. “We have a lot of options and I expect all three of those quarterbacks will see time throughout the tournament.”

Offensively, Stusek said that it will be like traditional units at the tournament in that there will be a balance between the run and pass game.  Returning players Ethan Vibert (offensive lineman), Tristan Cappo (offensive lineman) and Emmett Steadman (receiver/kicker) will be expected to lead the unit based on their previous experience on the provincial team.

Traditionally, one of Saskatchewan’s strength’s is their tough defence.  Michael Clow (defensive lineman), Ramsey Derbas (linebacker), Dillon Kiefer (defensive back) and Carson Sombach return from the 2017 provincial team that earned the silver medal at 2017 tournament which was held in Wolfville, Nova Scotia.

Saskatchewan kicks off the tournament as they play their first game of the tournament against Manitoba on Monday July 16, 2018 at 10:00am  MST.

“I’ve faced a lot of Manitoba teams,” Stusek said.  “I think this squad may be different because I deeply respect their coaching staff.”

“They have assembled Coach Karhut along with his defensive coordinator and offensive coordinator are very, very strong and I can only assume their position coaches are strong.  We’re going to see a very disciplined Manitoba team.  Manitoba always has athletes so we have to be ready to take them on the field and be disciplined and focused.”

TEAM SASKATCHEWAN:

2017 RESULT: lost to Quebec 10-7 in gold medal game; ended up second and earned silver medal

HEAD COACH: Jeff Stusek – first year in role, was Special Teams Coordinator previous two years

NUMBER OF RETURNING PLAYERS: 9

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

This post is also available in: French