Running back, Levi Koenig has been a key piece of the Vikings' offensive attack, as a threat out of the backfield. (Submitted photo/Mark Kotchorek)

By Martin Martinson

Thursday Night Lights

NBCHS Vikings host P.A. Carlton with first place on the line

Oct 12, 2023 | 4:00 PM

The stage is set for Thursday night, under the lights at Beaver Lions Stadium.

The North Battleford Comprehensive High School (NBCHS) Vikings football team will host P.A. Carlton, with first place on the line, in the final week of the regular season.

“That was one of our goals this year, was to be able to compete in this league and P.A. Carlton’s a very good football team, so the guys are excited,” Vikings’ head coach, Mike Humenny said. “To have this opportunity to play for first place sets us up for the playoff run starting next week.”

After spending close to a decade as part of Saskatoon’s high school football league, the Vikings have made the most of their realignment this season, shifting to the new ‘North Sask Football League’ alongside a pair of teams from P.A., one from Lloyd, and another from Martensville.

Thursday’s matchup is the first of two over the next two nights around the league, to determine first through fourth place seeding heading into the opening week of the playoffs. It will be followed by Friday’s game between P.A.’s St. Mary and the Lloyd Barons to solidify the third and fourth seeds overall and finalize the playoff picture.

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“It’s been an exciting time with the league, and there’s been quite a bit of parity this season,” Humenny said, reflecting on how the season has played out. “There haven’t been many blowouts or lopsided results, but we kind of figured that P.A. Carlton would be the team to beat heading into the season, so we’re just happy that we’re in position to play for first place tonight.”

Regardless of Thursday’s outcome, the Vikings are guaranteed at least a single home playoff game. It marks a milestone for the team as it’ll be their third home playoff game in nearly 30 years, joining their 1995 SHSAA playoff game with Weyburn, and 2017 provincial final against Yorkton.

Featuring 17 Grade 12 students on their 44-man roster this season, Humenny said heading into Thursday night’s matchup – and down the final stretch – the Vikings will be counting on their veterans throughout the lineup and the strong play of their offensive and defensive line to set the tone for the team.

“The strength of our game has been our line play and I think those guys set the tone for us on a weekly basis,” the coach said. “As a unit, our defense has been extremely strong for us and made it very difficult for opposing offenses to get on track, so we’re going to expect big things out of them and all 44 guys tonight and beyond.”

Offensively, the coach also added the team has continued to grow in their ability to move the ball efficiently downfield as the season has progressed, with an emphasis on limiting turnovers, getting first-downs, and keeping things simple.

Thursday’s game will be a 6:30 p.m. kickoff at Beaver Lions Stadium, located next to the Access Communications Centre (Civic Centre) in North Battleford.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1