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STEINBACH SABRES (WINNIPEG, MANITOBA):
“Be Better”
That is the motto for the Steinbach Sabres of the Kas Vidruk ‘AA’ Division in the Winnipeg High School Football League (WHSFL).
Sabres Head Coach Jamie Peters said that the team’s goals and expectation this fall will centre on their motto.
“The team’s expectations and goals for the 2014 season are the same as every year,” commented Peters, who is returning for his fifth season at the helm. “This simply means to be the best that we can be and get better every single day on and off the field.”
“This mentality helps translate into success on the field where the Sabres hope to leave it all on the field and be competing for the Vidruk Championship.”
Offensively is where the Sabres hope for success this season. Their key strength lies on the offensive line and hope to reap the dividends of the depth and talent that exists there.
“The group returns six players that are heading into grade 12,” assessed Peters. “The team is very hopeful to take advantage of their veteran presence plus the return of the WHSFL second leading rusher Mack Ginter-Boyce that will help control the clock and keep the chains moving.”
Along with Ginter-Boyce, receiver Rhys Mowatt as well as offensive linemen Chad Falk and Torston Froese will be the ones to watch on the Sabres offense.
One battle that will be intriguing to watch for during the Sabres camp is the battle for the starting quarterback position. Three pivots are expected to provide tremendous competition and will make the decision that much more difficult for the Sabres coaching staff.
“We have an open quarterback competition this year heading into main camp,” said Peters. “CJ Knelsen, Braedon Saindon and Austin Buhler are all battling for the starting reps at the position.”
“They all have strengths that they bring to the table and it will be the player who can be most consistent that will win the right to lead the Sabres onto the field in the WHSFL season opener.”
However, the Sabres offense will have to address the gaps left by the departures of receiver Griffin Kornelsen as well as offensive linemen Austin Penner and Adrian Wiebe.
Peters offered that there may be a few surprises that could compensate for those losses.
“I think a few surprises for the team could come from rookie running backs William Cruise or Jack Lenchyshyn when they are given the opportunity to carry the ball,” added the Sabres Head Coach. “Also, new receiver Leo Sawatzky is a dynamic player with the ball in his hands.”
Overall, the Sabres hope their ground and passing games will translate into success this fall.
“The offense will be predicated on a strong ground game from a solid offensive line where they will look to take advantage in play action and quick passing to make big plays in the air,” described Peters of the team’s offensive style of play.
As for the defensive unit, there is one area of concern as the team has to fill the void left by defensive linemen Cody Erickson and Luke McAllister.
“The weaknesses of the 2014 season will be replacing our 2 WHSFL All-Star defensive ends who graduated last season,” explained Peters, who also said the defense has also lost linebacker Devon Bueckhert and defensive back Ryan Martens. “Like every high school team, players and stars graduate leaving opportunities for young kids to step up and fill the void.”
“We as a coaching staff are very confident that we have some returning and new players who will step up and fill the void left by the graduating players and help control the line of scrimmage on the defensive side.”
Expected to provide leadership include Tyler Chornopyski (defensive back), Graham Cruise (defensive back), Julian Clibbery (defensive line), Dustin Erickson (defensive line) and Brydon Watts (linebacker).
One player that could make an instantaneous impact for the Sabres is linebacker Mo Kemoh.
“Mo Kemoh can be an “X” factor with his exceptional speed and instincts that allow him to track the football from the Mack position and make big hits, force fumbles, and interceptions,” evaluated Peters.
Ultimately, the Sabres defense will be tenacious and relentless in their attack on opponents’ offensive units.
“The defense will get after it by playing sound gap responsible football with a load of blitzes that will allow our playmakers on that side of the ball to make impactful plays,” described Peters of the Sabres defense.
In his assessment of the competition in the WHSFL, Peters expects it to be an unpredictable, yet tight race for supremacy – much like 2013.
“I expect this season to be extremely competitive like it was last year,” assessed the Sabres Head Coach. “The second division is historically very tight where every team can win on a given day.”
“I would expect Churchill, Kelvin, Garden City and St. Paul have to be near the top but I wouldn’t be surprised to see teams like River East, Kildonan East, Miles Mac, or Portage get off to a great start in the year and continue on.”
No matter how the 2014 WHSFL season unfolds, the Sabres intend to be competitive game in and game out.
“This team will compete in every snap, every second to continue to get better and be in every single game,” said Peters.
STEINBACH SABRES (KAS VIDRUK ‘AA’ DIVISION – WINNIPEG, MANITOBA):
2013 RECORD: 5-2 –finished in a four way tie for first place, made playoffs but lost to Grant Park Pirates in quarterfinals
HEAD COACH: Jamie Peters (fifth season in role)
NUMBER OF RETURNING STARTERS – OFFENSE: 7
NUMBER OF RETURNING STARTERS – DEFENSE: 3
KEY RETURNEES: Mack Ginter-Boyce (running back), Rhys Mowat (receiver), Chad Falk (offensive line), Torston Froese (offensive line), Tyler Chornopyski (defensive back), Brydon Watts (linebacker), Julian Clibbery (defensive line)
KEY LOSSES: Cody Erickson (defensive line), Luke McAllister (defensive line), Devon Bueckert (linebacker), Ryan Martens (defensive back), Griffin Kornelsen (receiver), Austin Penner (offensive lne), Adrian Wiebe (offensive line)
KEY ADDITIONS: Graham Cruise (defensive back), Mo Kemoh (linebacker), Dustin Erickson (defensive line), Leo Sawatzky (receiver), Will Cruise (running back), Jack Lenchyshyn (running back), Braeden Saindon (quarterback), Austin Buhler (quarterback)
“X” FACTOR: “I think a few surprises for the team could come from rookie running backs William Cruise or Jack Lenchyshyn when they are given the opportunity to carry the ball. Also, new reciever Leo Sawatzky is a dynamic player with the ball in his hands. Mo Kemoh can be an X factor with his exceptional speed and instincts that allow him to track the football from the Mack position and make big hits, force fumbles, and interceptions.” – Steinbach Sabres Head Coach Jamie Peters
ROSTER:
Lead Photo Credit: Sawyer Klassen – Steinbach Online.com
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