W.P. Sandin Aardvarks. (Submitted photo/Devin Thorpe)

By Nigel Maxwell

Football playoffs

Aardvarks aim to de-claw Cougars in 2A semi-final

Nov 4, 2021 | 4:00 PM

The W.P. Sandin Aardvarks have never made it to the finals of the 2A High School Football playoffs, but that could all change this weekend if they can get past the Clavet Cougars.

They will at least have home field advantage on Saturday for the semi-final game, and head coach Devon Thorpe said there’s been a lot of excitement in the school and the community.

“Obviously it brings the community together. Our parents have been awesome in organizing a number of thing for us too,” he said.

Due to the pandemic, there was no football program at the school last year and Thorpe recognized a lot of their Grade 12s had to miss out. And with that loss of experience, came a lot of uncertainty to start this season.

“Our team is very, very young this year so we are happy to be where are at right now,” Thorpe said.

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The Aardvarks finished the regular season at 6–1, then last weekend defeated Creighton 30–26 in the quarter-finals. With respect to the game this weekend, Thorpe explained the team has been reviewing a lot of game film and know they are facing a team that is very good at moving the ball down the field.

“We’ve been coming up with some different strategies how we can pick that apart. They have a very good receiver, so we are trying to some ways to disguise some schemes on defence and offence, and get the ball, with solid blocking, to the spot we want,” he said.

Quarterback Jesse Nyburg is in Grade 10, and acknowledged playing in front of a home town crowd is exciting, but added too he has to stay mentally prepared.

“It is pretty nerve racking but once game time comes around and I get a few plays down, I should be good to go,” he said.

Kickoff Saturday is at 1 p.m.

Wakaw plays Watrous in the other 2A semi-final.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell