Despite losing their first four high school football games this season, the Lloydminster Comprehensive Barons are staying on track in a development year for the young guns wearing the senior colours.
Read more: VIDEO/GALLERY: Barons make progress despite defeat
After a 27-0 setback against the St. Mary Marauders last Friday (Sept. 26) in Prince Albert, the Barons now are focusing on their next North Saskatchewan Football League opponent, the North Battleford Comprehensive Titans, who visit Lloydminster at 6:30 p.m. Friday (Oct. 3).
“The compete level is there, but the lack of experience showed,” Lloyd Comp coach Kieran Link said Monday. “It’s up to the coaching staff to ensure that the players execute better and come out firing against North Battleford.
“Both teams are 0-2 in regular-season play, so I expect a hungry North Battleford team. We need to have an excellent week at practice to make sure we are firing on all cylinders under the lights on Friday night.
“North Battleford will bring their typical brand of smash-mouth football. We have to match their physicality while executing our jobs to the best of our ability. We are learning how to trust each other. When we have that (commitment and execution) on offence, defence and special teams, then we are putting ourselves in the best possible position.”
The Barons faced a formidable foe in St. Maryin what was described as a physical affair.
“They ran the ball successfully and our offence stalled out in the red zone,” said Link, whose Barons trailed 14-0 at halftime.
“It was all Grade 11 and 10 players starting on offence, defence and special teams. Our inexperience showed a few times and St. Mary capitalized. Kudos to them — they are well-coached and were physical.”
Lloyd Comp teammates Daymius Dustyhorn and Bennett Fairley each made big-time tackles in the game at Prince Albert.
“Colby Hynes and Joe Kelly had some success running the ball, but we weren’t able to punch the ball in,” Link said.
“We had a minus-3 turnover differential, which makes it tough to climb back from.”
MULTI-SPORT KRCHOV SIDELINED
For precautionary reasons, Barons rookie Brody Payne didn’t play Friday after spraining an ankle the previous week against Martensville.
Lloyd Comp has been trying to make do lately without versatile senior Carson Krchov, who suffered a season-ending injury in mid-Septemberwhen the Barons visited the Marion Graham Collegiate Falcons in Saskatoon.
“It’s a huge loss for us,” Link said. “Carson was kicking, punting and our No. 1 receiver. He will be sorely missed on the football and volleyball teams. He’s out for at least another month. We are hoping he can make a speedy recovery so he can return for the end of his club volleyball season.”
The Barons’ senior boys’ volleyball team hosts its tournament this weekend.
On the football calendar, the senior Barons play back-to-back home games in the next week. After the North Battleford visit this Friday, Lloyd Comp welcomes the Carlton Crusaders of Prince Albert on Thursday, Oct. 9, leading into Thanksgiving weekend.
Meanwhile, the junior Barons lost 55-7 to the Ledingham Steelers last Saturday in Lloydminster. Up next for those Barons is a Sunday (Oct. 5) road game against the Martensville Maddogs.
Read more: Senior Barons perform well in last-minute loss
