They are young, eager, confident and much improved.
The Foothills Falcons showed a tough year of growing pains has paid dividends with a 37-5 victory over the Oilfields Drillers April 20 in Black Diamond.
“This is an extension of growth which we started last year,” said Falcons head coach Jeff Mason. “We have a large group of returning Grade 11s who played rugby for the first-time last year.
“We also have some Grade 10 athletes who are buying into the program and following the leadership of our Grade 11 and our one experienced Grade 12 player. (Sydney Pardo).”
The majority of the Falcons were new to the rugby nest last year as they struggled, including losing to the Drillers by a large margin.
“It’s like building any program and now we have the foundation of a strong program,” Mason said. “It’s my goal, along with coach Chris Isherwood and Jim Ryan, who works with the Lions, to get two teams going at the senior and junior level in high school.”
The Falcons overwhelmed the Drillers with a lot of help from no. 8 Annaliese Curtis, who had one try. She was a tank running with the ball, but also showed the soft touch by dishing it off.
“The lights came on for Annaliese at a sevens tournament last year in Springbank and she’s never looked back,” Mason said. “She completely understands the forward game and makes the opportunities so we were able to run our backs because of her strong presence up front.”
Curtis said the Falcons have improved on the fundamentals of rugby this season.
“We are rucking a lot better, we’re faster than last year and we are just working a lot better together,” Curtis said.
Although the Grade 11 student saw plenty of rugby when her older brother Amren starred for the Falcons and the Okotoks-based club team the Lions, this is just her second-year on the pitch as a player.
“I really enjoyed rugby because I watched my brother, but I have never played club or anything,” Curtis said. “This year, I have had to step up and become one of the leaders of the team, because we don’t have a lot of Grade 12s.”
One of the benefactors of Curtis’ pitches was Grade 10 rookie Larissa Little, who had three trys in the win over Oilfields.
“She is really fast and tough,” Curtis said. “I trust her with the ball and I do look for her.”
The Grade 10 Little is starting to do big things despite taking up the game this season.
“I was intrigued by the game because it’s a physical game,” Little said. “I wouldn’t like to say I am rough, but it is always fun to play hard and try your best.”
It’s also fun for the speedy Little to follow Curtis.
One of her trys came after about a 35-yard romp by Curtis who pitched to Little who then sprinted 25 yards for the five points.
“Tonight went really well with Annaliese, we had never met before this season,” Little said. “We have clicked, passed well and work well together.
“She is more like the strength and I’m the speed. When I get a try it’s because of a lot of work from her and the team.
“I’m just good at running with it and getting to the try-line.”
Also crossing the tryline for the Falcons were Claire Shirakawa, Rosie Brown and Tara Fenner.
Drillers coach Kyle Rawson said his young squad is beginning to grasp some of the complexities of the game.
“We’re still making simple mistakes, the kids are improving, they are still getting their feet under them,” Rawson said. “Rugby is a funny game. If you have never watched it before, you are wondering what to do and where to go.
“I was pretty happy with the kids development so far this year.”
He added Foothills was in a similar spot just a year ago as the Falcons were learning the rugby ropes.
“We had a senior filled team last year,” he said. “This year we caught Foothills with a younger squad, but that’s the way it goes in high school sports.”
The Falcons’ victory improved their record to 1-1. The Falcons next game is April 20 in Cochrane when they take on the Bow Valley Bobcats.
The Drillers dropped to 0-2 in the Big Sky. They will host the Strathmore (2) Spartans on April 20.
The Holy Trinity Academy Knights continue to appear to be the class of the league after walloping High River’s Highwood Mustangs 50-0 on April 20. The Knights will take on the 1-1 Strathmore (1) Spartans April 27 at 5 p.m.
