The Martensville Royals lit up the scoreboard early and often at SMF field in Saskatoon September 7, downing the Bethlehem Stars 41-14 in their first 12-man football league game.
Royals defensive halfback Aidan Low set the tone in the first minute of the contest with a pick-six touchdown, and from then on it was all Martensville.
They led 26-0 at the end of the first quarter; 34-7 at half-time; and 34-14 after three quarters.
Royals quarterback Thomas Shoemaker connected with receivers Jared Festus in the first quarter and Cameron Kliewer in the fourth quarter for major scores; while the defense and special teams accounted for the other touchdowns on interceptions and punt returns. Brock Bishop intercepted a pass and rambled into the end zone for a Royals touchdown late in the second quarter, and running back Caton Harrison accounted for most of Martensville’s yards on the ground offensively.
Royals head coach Craig Robertson was happy with the strong start to the game, and to the season, for his team.
“Most of our experienced guys are on defense,” said Robertson. “So that early interception and the strong pressure by our defense really helped us out, especially at the start, to give everyone some confidence.
“Our offensive line is very young, and so picking up the lead and adding to the points in the opening quarter allowed us to get everybody, including the Grade 9 kids, in the game at the end of the first half and in the final quarter.
“Bethlehem has some really good athletes, so when you can give the young guys that game experience against high-calibre competition, it really strengthens your team.”
Bolstered by 16 players from Warman and other area communities, the Royals made the jump from 9-man to 12-man football this season, playing in the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association 5-A North Saskatchewan League, along with North Battleford, Prince Albert Carlton, Prince Albert St. Mary, and Lloydminster. They’re also seeing action against Saskatoon high school 6A 12-man teams.
“I’m excited about the new league,” said Robertson. “It’s going to be challenging, but I think it’ll be good for the kids because they’re going to be playing against some big schools.”
Robertson said the Royals have a solid core of a dozen Grade 12s on the roster, including the quarterback, kicker, linebackers and receivers. But he notes the Grade 10s and 11s make up the bulk of the team, with three Grade 9s learning the ropes.
“Everyone is buying in,” said Robertson. “That’s the really good thing about football. It’s truly a team sport, and everyone contributes.”
Robertson said the players are putting the traditional Martensville-Warman rivalry on ice, and everyone is focusing on doing what’s best for the team.
“I’m trying to include everyone as equals,” said Robertson. “I don’t want anyone to feel I’m favouring Martensville kids. I’m playing everybody based on their ability. There are some very good athletes from Warman, and they bring a lot to the team.”
While having more players on the field is a change for the Royals football program, it’s a shift back to more familiar territory for their head coach.
“I played 12-man football all my life,” said Robertson. “So it was a learning curve for me in 2017 when I came to this program and had to adjust to the 9-man game. It was actually harder for me. So now going back to the 12-man format, it’s something I know and understand.”
Robertson said he is familiar with the other teams’ coaches in the new league because he played university football with them.
“We knew we were going 12-man about a month after our season ended last year,” said Robertson, who’s been with the team since 2017. “It’s something we’re really looking forward to, but it’s meant we had to go make some adjustments. We had to teach an entirely new offense, after having a pretty solid offensive scheme for the last couple of seasons.”
He said while the opening win against Bethlehem gave a big boost to the new program, it’s a long season, and the team will have to continue to improve and work hard.
“When you start something like this, you know that the kids want to be part of something that wins,” said Robertson. “If you fail you could lose a lot of players, so I’m hoping for the most successful season we can possibly have.
“With a new squad like this, a 500 season would be something to shoot for. I’m just hoping they get something positive out of this. I’ve never been one to want to win everything if I can’t have everybody learn something from me. So hopefully that’s what they’re getting out of it. And it’s nice to get off to a good start.”
The Royals’ next contest is in Prince Albert against PA Carlton on Thursday, September 14. Their next home game is Friday,September 22 when North Battleford Composite comes to Martensville.
MARTENSVILLE ROYALS PLAYER ROSTER
Jared Festus (#2 WR), Carter Flynn (#3 WR), Teyson Baschuk (#4 WR), Chase Ogden (#5 CB), Noah Marcotte (#6 DE), Wayne Brown (#7 WR), Kaden Weldman (#8 CB), Aidan Low (#9 HB), Thomas Shoemaker (#10 QB), Levi Nugent (#12 WR), Cameron Kliewer (#13 WR), Hawkley Dereniwski (#14 WR), Lane Robertson (#15 WR), Saxon Hind (#16 DB), Cooper Ogden (#17 WR), Corben Wegman (#18 LB), Blake Fontain (#19 WR), Preston Busby (#20 WR), James Fasooto (#22 RB), Ethan Douglas (#23 HB), Jace Lightburn (#24 WR), D’Shawn Lewis (#25 S), Austyn Willis (#26 (WR), Brock Bishop (#27 LB), Caton Harrison (#28 RB), Connor Zaretski (#30 LB), Kye Webster (#32 RB), Denver Schira (#33 LB), Cole Schiebelbein (#35 RB), Hudson Donaldson (#36 WR), Gavin Gordon (#40 DB), Ezekiel Topping (#42 LB), Jackson Hull (#44 LB), Cale Robertson (#45 LB)