High school sports are back in the Battlefords, as football season starts tonight for the NBCHS Vikings. (File photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Football returns

NBCHS Vikings to kick off football season Thursday in Saskatoon

Sep 16, 2021 | 2:00 PM

High school football is officially back in the Battlefords.

The North Battleford Comprehensive High School (NBCHS) Vikings will kick off their football season Thursday evening in Saskatoon. Taking on Aden Bowman Collegiate at Saskatoon’s SMF Field, kickoff will take place at 5:15 p.m.

Head coach of the Vikings, Mike Humenny, said the team is eager to get back on the gridiron for their season opener, following a year without high school sports last year.

“There’s a definite excitement around after not playing last season, and getting back into the mix today,” he said. “I think it’s going to be a lot of fun, and we’re looking forward to getting to Saskatoon and kicking off today.”

The Vikings were in Saskatoon last weekend as well, for a preseason jamboree with three other teams from the region. Hummeny said if the team’s performance in the exhibition games is any indication, they should hit the ground running this year.

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“We were really happy with the way things went, both on offence and defence,” Hummeny said. “I thought offensively right from the get-go our guys were quite strong on their timing and our execution looked really good. Defensively, we also seemed to just get better with each game, so hopefully those things can play into today and we’ll have a good result.”

Two years ago, the Vikings made the city semi-finals, where they fell to Saskatoon’s Marion Graham Falcons in a tight contest.

Hummeny said with a strong contingent of returning players, and others with success under their belts from the Vikings junior programs, there’s lots to be excited about with the team this year.

“Right now there’s about 12 players in Grade 12 on our roster that had played as Grade 10’s two years ago, supplemented by a bunch of guys who had played with our U15 team that was really successful that season as well,” he said. “So while we may not have a lot of guys who are considered veterans of senior football, we have a lot of guys who have played a lot of downs with some pretty good results, and we’re confident heading into the season.”

Following their season-opener in Saskatoon Thursday, the Vikings will return home where they will play their home-opener next week, Thursday, Sept. 23 at 6:30 p.m. at the high school.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1