TISDALE — The Friday night lights will on this week as the Tisdale Middle & Secondary School football team opens its season.
The Tornados host the L.P. Miller Comprehensive School Bears of Nipawin Sept. 10 under the lights at 7 p.m. The two teams certainly know each other. They were paired together in a “COVID-19 bubble” last season.
“We got to play the Bears twice last year, which gives us a familiarity with them going into this season,” said Tisdale head coach Keenan Carrier. “We know that they are going to be well coached and they will play hard to the whistle. Coach Blaine Demmans over there knows how to get the most out of his athletes.
“To come out of week one with a victory we know we will have to play mistake-free football. Our focus needs to be on us. Our players know their abilities and know what they can do. They just have to play smart, play fast, and not get in their own way.”
As well as the season opener, the game will serve as an opportunity for the community to see the new football tower. The Tisdale Tornados Football Booster Club led the charge for the replacement of the previous tower that had outlived its usefulness.
“Once you find your way to our field you will see our brand-new announcing tower/concession/equipment storage building,” Carrier said. “Everyone who was involved went above and beyond and we couldn't have done it without the generous people and businesses of Tisdale. Our booster club did a phenomenal job of fundraising and organizing the build. I hope that we can get a massive crowd out to our game … I want everyone in town to come check out our new tower and to cheer on some amazing Tisdale athletes playing a very high level of football.”
The Tornados are excited to be back on the field after 2020’s season was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. TMSS played just two games in 2020 – with the final one being in November.
“The biggest thing is having a full season to look forward to after not being able to have school sports due to the pandemic,” Carrier said. “I think I speak for my coaches, my players, and all of the parents involved when I say that this season is something we have all been needing for a long time.”
The Team
As of last week, the Tornados had 38 players. Carrier said the team is always looking for more.
“Last season we were in the low 30s and the years prior to the were in the mid to low 20s,” Carrier said. “The interest in football in Tisdale has been on the incline in the past couple of years so that is something that puts a smile on my face.”
The Tornados graduated seven players from last season’s team. Almost every non-graduating player returns from that squad.
“The biggest strength of this team has to be our leadership,” Carrier said. “We have 10 athletes who are in Grade 12 and who have been with the program for years. They know the expectations and they know what they have to do to be successful. We always play for our Grade 12 players on this team. Everything we do, we do so that those kids can have the best year possible. I know that my coaching staff and I will coach hard for those kids and the younger players will work hard for those vets. They have all put in that extra work and deserve everything that comes their way.”
