ASSINIBOIA — The Assiniboia Rockets senior high school football team is ready to rock the gridiron.
Coach Brian Ruthven told the Assiniboia Times he will be assisted by Mr. Seeley this season.
While the team currently has 21 players signed up, Ruthven said they are hoping to add three or four more.
The team will start practising the last week of August and, with a bye in the first week, will have the required number of practices completed by then.
Assiniboia is in Conference 6, 6-man 2A football for the Saskatchewan High School Athletics Association, with four teams in that conference.
“We have no veteran players as we lost quite a few seniors last year. We have a young quarterback who is ready to step in. We have had .500, 3-3 seasons so far, so we are hoping we can clear that hurdle,” said Ruthven.
Ruthven said now that lights have been installed on the football field, they are looking at hosting more night games, as 4 p.m. starts are not conducive to big community crowds.
The senior Rockets also mentor the bantam program, which helps develop players for high school football.
“With hockey starting earlier and earlier and volleyball being in the same season as us, we are still proud to have football in Assiniboia and hope to keep building it. We have had players go to Regina Thunder and Saskatchewan Huskies, and our goal is to give players an opportunity to do so,” said the ACHS football coach.
Rockets football appreciates the support of the community with fundraising efforts, which include a shop-local campaign. Like any team, they value having fans in the stands and hope more evening games will help make that happen.
Communities benefit from the dedication of people like Ruthven. In addition to coaching, he is the principal of Assiniboia Elementary School, coached the 13UAA Assiniboia Aces to a provincial win and western Canadian berth, and was a member of the Assiniboia senior Aces baseball team that won the Dunning League and hosted and won senior men’s provincials.
Fans can follow the Assiniboia Rockets Football for the latest news and updates throughout the season.
