It will be like writing one of those pre-LSAT tests.
Sure, it doesn’t count, but it’s not easy and it will prepare you for a tough road ahead.
The Holy Trinity Academy Knights started football practice this week and will play an upscaled scrimmage this week against Red Deer’s Notre Dame Cougars Saturday at 1 p.m. at Knights Field.
“They’re a Tier 1 team and last year we played them in a jamboree, but this year both sides wanted to use specialty teams, make sure we get ‘x’ amount of plays for the young guys,” said Knights head coach Matt Hassett. “We’re just trying to get better as a team, see what the young guys have and get the older guys going.”
The Cougars were knocked out of the Tier I provincial playoffs by eventual champions the St. Francis Browns.
The Knights are coming off a third-place finish in the Big Rock Football Conference after being knocked off by league champions the Rundle College Cobras in the semifinal.
High school football doesn’t last forever, and the Knights won’t have all-star Jonathan Leggett at linebacker or fullback this season as he is plying his trade with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies. Also lost to graduation is three-year runningback and the Knights offensive player of the year Cian Booth.
“We have lost some good seniors but we have some good young guys stepping in,” Hassett said.
HTA’s Evan Brunyzeel is back after an outstanding Grade 10 year.
“He’s got the potential to be another great linebacker for us,” Hassett said. “He is going to be huge for us.”
Hauling the pigskin for the Knights will be David Bowers, a second-year runningback with speed and power.
Bowers, a Grade 11 student, just kept getting better for the Knights as the season progressed in 2015.
“It took David a little bit of time to get used to the size and speed of high school football,” Hassett said. “But as an athlete he is up there with the Ryder Stones and Jeff Hasslers.”
At quarterback is Cameron Fietz, who came on as the Knights’ starter last season. The southpaw quarterback has gone to more camps this summer than an overly enthusiastic boy scout.
“He is a good athlete and has worked really hard — he’s gone to a couple of camps down in the States this year,” Hassett said.
He’s also intelligent.
Fietz was the Knights student athlete of the year in 2015.
The Foothills Eagles program continues to be an ideal feeder system to high schools throughout the area. The Knights have got some high-quality graduating Eagles. Some of those include Parker Nakamura at centre and Adam Foster on the offensive line.
The Knights hit the pads for real when they host the Catholic Central Cougars Sept. 1 at 7 p.m.
“I think we have the team to do well, so we have toughened up our schedule,” Hassett said.
