CJFL: Colts prepare for first home game

A dramatic last-minute win last week on the road landed the Colts atop
the Canadian Junior Football League rankings heading into Sunday’s
contest at McMahon Stadium with the Regina Thunder. Game time is 1
p.m.
Beating a very talented two-time defending national champion Saskatoon
Hilltops on their home turf means all football observers are now
anticipating another one, maybe even in convincing fashion, at home.
“We always have high expectations of ourselves,” said Colts head coach
John Stevens, who also is defensive coordinator.
“Our expectations are to be prepared to play well and execute our game
plan. If we do that we will have a good game.”
Marshal Broom’s 42-yard field goal with 16 seconds remaining in the
fourth quarter lifted the Colts past the Hilltops 32-30 on Aug. 12.
Regina also comes in at 1-0 after stopping the Edmonton Huskies 23-7
at home in Week 1.
The Colts are doing their best to put what happened in Saskatoon on the shelf.
“It’s past, that’s last week, it’s on to the next one,” said
runningback Chucks Okafor.
“If we lose this game we are back to Square 1. We are treating this
game like it’s our first game. If we’re talking about winning a
championship then we have to win our next game.”
Many coaches will instruct their players to downplay having reached
the No. 1 spot, to keep their feet on the ground and their heads from
getting swelled, especially when it occurs this early in the season.
Okafor takes a somewhat different view.
“I don’t mind being No. 1. We worked so hard during the off-season
that it’s kind of great to be acknowledged as No. 1,” he said.
“But it’s just a number. If we don’t win a championship it won’t mean a thing.”
The Saskatoon game marked the first start for Derek Cooper at
quarterback after he served as backup in 2011. Cooper was outstanding,
throwing for two scores and more than 200 yards with a completion rate
of 67 per cent on 21 of 31 attempts.
“We were under 50 per cent last year so that’s a great afternoon for a
QB,” said Stevens.
“It may have been his first start but you have to remember that he’s a
22-year-old man and not an 18-year-old kid.”
The Colts are anxious to show their team off to the home folks.
“Some of us had family out in Saskatoon but at home we have everyone
supporting us,” said fifth-year offensive lineman Frank Pellegrino.
“It’s a big deal for a lot of guys. As well, a lot of rookies have
never had family watching them as Calgary Colts, so that’s exciting
for them.”
Tickets  are available at the eastside of the stadium. They are $12
for adults, $8 for seniors and students with children under 12
admitted free. Season passes are also available for $40