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Pictured L-R: Dawson Horner, Michael Szwydky, and Eric Boyko in Team Saskatchewan threads at tryouts for the Canadian team. (Submitted photo/Michael Szwydky)
One more game

Hafford Vikings seniors to represent Canada at CanAm Bowl

Jul 1, 2022 | 9:48 AM

A trio of Hafford Vikings seniors will take to the gridiron early next week to represent Canada at the 24th annual CanAm Bowl.

Michael Szwydky, Dawson Horner and Eric Boyko will be part of the Canadian team, made up of 2022 graduates from Saskatchewan and Alberta, who will face off against a U.S. team comprised of graduates from Montana, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Texas in a six-man football all-star game.

Eric Boyko (No. 10) and Michael Michael Szwydky (No. 9) pictured here with the Hafford Vikings during their senior high school season. (Submitted photo/Michael Szwydky)

Taking place in Lambert, Montana, Monday (July 4), the all-star game will reunite the Vikings’ three-headed beast, who were instrumental in leading the Hafford Central football program to a provincial championship earlier this year.

It is an opportunity Szwydky said he’s looking forward to: rejoining with his high school teammates from the last four-plus years for one final game to represent the community and country.

“I thought it was our last shot to play together at the provincial final, but we get one last game here together and hopefully we can end it with a win,” Szwydky said. “It’s definitely special, and I’ll hold it for the rest of my life, as not many people get to say they played for Canada.”

Szwydky will be lining up at receiver and running back with the Canadian team.

Horner, who played weakside offensive end and strongside linebacker with Hafford, will be suiting up at center with Canada’s team. He said with no plans to continue his football career at the post-secondary level, this will likely mark his last football game – one he’s proud to be playing alongside his good friends and teammates.

“It means a lot to be going with them,” Horner said. “Not a lot of teams have three guys who get to play this program and it’s special to go with them,” Horner said. “We have one last shot… one last game of high school football.”

The Canadian roster was assembled following an all-star game between Team Saskatchewan and Team Alberta earlier this month, with the best from both provinces coming together on one team that will travel to the States to compete.

Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1

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