Hafford Vikings' #12 Koen Cherwinski in action, making a long-range reception for his team. (Submitted photo/Vivian Walls)

By Martin Martinson

Playoffs Begin

Hafford Vikings to host Hanley for quarter-finals showdown this weekend

Oct 26, 2023 | 6:00 AM

Coming off another regular season for the books with a conference-best 6-0 record, the Hafford Vikings football team is gearing up for this weekend’s return to the playoffs as the team officially begin their quest for a fifth straight provincial championship.

Taking on Hanley in a rematch of last year’s provincial semi-finals matchup, the game will be the first of the playoffs for both sides, marking the beginning of interconference crossovers.

“It’s always easy to motivate the boys come playoff time,” head coach Ryan Barnstable remarked of his team’s anticipation for the weekend.

Featuring just two Grade 12s on the roster this year, the Vikings have relied on a number of younger players to fill prominent roles for the team, with a trio of Grade 10s and a Grade 9 player that – in addition to the seniors – also play both sides of the ball to lead the way for the team.

It’s something the coach said has led to a lot of opportunities to learn and grow as a group this season, as he’s watched his team’s work in practices and games throughout the season result in consistent growth on both sides of the ball.

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“We have a lot of young players who are still learning and getting better every week,” Barnstable said. “So we hope to see some [continued] progress on the defense this weekend.”

He said the key for his group heading into Saturday’s matchup will be to set the tone from the offensive line, outward.

“[Hanley has] got a strong defense, so I think we’re going to have to match up and be solid on the line of scrimmage to be able to move the ball on them,” Barnstable said. “That’s been a focus this week, and then defensively we’ve been really working on just becoming more solid structurally with people understanding their jobs a little better.”

As for the seasonal challenges that may present, now getting into the final weekend of October, Barnstable said he doesn’t foresee the elements being quite as much an obstacle – at least to start – as a season ago.

“It looks like the weather should be decent this Saturday and we don’t have any snow to move off the field like we did last year in the playoffs, so we’re hoping it holds out and it’s a beautiful day,” he said.

Hafford and Hanley will be a 1 p.m. kickoff, as one of four games going on Saturday to kick off the 2023 SHSAA 1A six-a-side football playoffs. In other action, St. Brieux will host Cupar, Lemberg will host Plenty, and Carrot River will host Kerrobert.

The winner of Saturday’s game between Hafford and Hanley will advance to play the winner of Cupar and St. Brieux next week.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1