HUMBOLDT — The members of the Humboldt Collegiate Institute’s football team are excited to take the field for the squad’s 50th official season.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the long successful program was unable to have an official season in 2020. This Friday the Mohawks are back on the gridiron as they open the 2021 campaign in Martensville.
“We are excited for a number of reasons,” HCI head coach Cory Popoff said of the season. “We get to play football. We get to practice together and we’re just back enjoying the game we all love, which is key. Part of enjoying it is developing a competitive program. Our coaching staff and our players work hard making sure we keep that competitive edge when we go up against other teams.”
The football team is one of a number of HCI sports teams and extra-curricular clubs and activities getting started again this fall after not happening or being altered during the last school year. Popoff said there is excitement around the return of these teams, clubs and activities. He emphasized the school continues to be mindful of COVID-19 and focuses on safety when organizing them and how people move around the school.
“When something has been taken away from you, you don’t realize the value of it until after it has been taken away,” said Popoff, who is the HCI principal. “They realize it’s back and they are going to take the opportunity to participate in these extra things. It goes a long way to developing our young students into adults and giving them a great high school experience.”
Martensville
Popoff expects Martensville High School to field a team with skilled players.
“We have our work cut out for us to prepare for that game he said.”
With HCI not having a full season last year, Popoff said teaching special teams will be a priority in the leadup to the opening game.
“Special teams are a third of the game and we have to make sure we have everything ready to go on Friday,” he said.
2021 Team
This season the HCI program has 55 players. This is up slightly from the past – demonstrating strong retention. Popoff praised a motivated group of senior high school athletes.
“We do have a number of Grade 11s and 12s that are committed to staying together and competing for a championship,” he said. “That’s our goal every year obviously, but we do have an eager group of Grade 11s and 12s who want to go to that next level this year.”
With a large roster and many athletically skilled players, depth will be one of the Mohawks’ strengths this season.
“By the numbers, we have depth in every position,” Popoff said. “If one player is unable to make it or maybe is hurt a little bit, we’ll have strength stepping up and filling in that spot.”
Regarding team strengths, the HCI sideline mentor also said there is a “genuine eagerness of our entire football team to learn the game and to be competitive. You can sense it on the field. … It’s quite exciting as a coach to be a part of it.”
Last season
Due to the pandemic last fall, the HCI football program – which usually competes in the nine-man version of the game - split its players into two teams (9-10 and 11-12) to play in six-man action. The older group got in one game before the season was suspended, while the younger crew played two contests against squads consisting of Grade 9-12 athletes. Popoff said this experience will benefit the team.
“Especially with our Grade 9s from last year. They got to get a fairly good taste of the game and what was expected of them.
“Every time you can organize yourself to play football, throw the ball around, and practice some contact and some defence, I think it is a good thing. It’s just time well spent and increasing their love of the game. We have many of our players returning.”
50 Years
Founded in 1913, HCI is 108 years old in 2021. For 50 of those, the school has had an official football season.
On Sept. 17, HCI will host the Delisle Composite School squad. During the contest, the school’s football history will be celebrated. Alumni have been invited and, rules permitting, will gather afterwards.
