Raiders Win U14 Season Home Opener
Photos and Story by Robert Thomas
“I’ve never done an interview before,” Britt Johnstone head coach of the U 14 Moose Jaw Raiders said.
It was a night of firsts for Johnstone.
The first time she has ever been the head coach of a football team.
Her first win as a head coach.
The first game of the 2023 season under the lights.
Moose Jaw Raiders head coach Britt Johnstone moments after she was drenched with ice water - MJ Independent photo
The first time her fellow coaches and players tried to soak her with the ice water in the cooler - they missed but she ended up getting soaked in the second attempt.
The night was sweet as the Moose Jaw Raiders defeated the visiting Swift Current Steelers 9 - 0 in a tightly contested defensive matchup.
A loose ball after a fumble - MJ Independent photo
Both teams are scoreless during the first half of the game.
In the third quarter there was a bit of a bad snap to Swift Currents punter who was in the end zone.
Despite the pressure from the Raiders the Steelers punter managed to scramble successfully and punt the ball.
Unfortunately for Swift Current the punt attempt hit their own uprights resulting in two points for Moose Jaw.
In the fourth quarter Moose Jaw would add a converted touchdown to make the final score 9 - 0.
A missed pass that was oh so close - MJ Independent photo
For rookie head coach Johnstone the win left her with a feeling of sense of relief.
“Yeah it was a very defensive game. I feel very relieved,” Johnstone said in the post game interview with MJ Independent.
“I’m really confident in our team. I really felt they came out strong. We thought we were a little stronger. But we have found our weak points that we are going to have to work on,” she said.
A Swift Current Steelers player breaks a tackle - MJ Independent photo
Johnstone said the Raiders were well aware of the Steelers abilities.
“We played Swift Current twice last year, and they were a tough team. We beat them in their first game and we lost them in the second game. Unfortunately we lost in the championship It really hurt,” she said.
This year the Raiders sights are set to take the league championship.
“Hopefully we will get that chance this year.”
Asked about this year’s edition of the Moose Jaw Raiders she said they are stronger than they appear.
A Swift Current Steelers player is pursued by a trio of Moose Jaw Raiders defenders- MJ Independent photo
“We may small but we are super mighty I can tell you that,” she said.
Asked what she thought was the team’s secret of success was this year she declined to give out the secret.
“I can’t tell you that,” Johnstone said laughing.
“Honestly it’s the heart of these kids. Like they want to be out here. They want to play football. We wouldn’t be able to do this without them.”
Both teams try to corral a loose ball - MJ independent photo
Asked how she felt about playing on Friday night Johnstone said she liked it.
“I like playing on Friday nights but Saturday nights would be just as good.”
Asked to comment on the fan turnout she said it was a very good sized crowd.
The weather for the game was described as perfect by more than a few who attended.
She said that when the temperature drops a little later in the season it does affect the crowd as some people stay home due to the weather.
Others still come out despite cooler temperatures.
“Most parents they’ll bundle up they want to see football.”
For football the little bit of a temperature drop in the evening was OK but the big factor in the game was there was no serious wind to contend with.
A Swift Current Steelers player is tackled - MJ Independent photo
Asked if playing the second game after the sun went down and the temperature dropped was a great advantage given the hot temperatures Johnstone said it was to some extent.
She said it was nice to play in cooler temperatures but the Raiders have been practising when it has been hot outside. So the team was used to warmer temperatures.
“Our team has been practising between 6 and 8 PM out on the field the last few weeks. So they’re ready for it.”
Despite this, the cooler temperatures were seen as “ a perfect night for football” Johnstone said.
A Moose Jaw Raiders player attempting to evade two Swift Current Steelers defenders - MJ Independent photo
As this was her first year as a head coach of the Raiders and is likely the first time the league has had a female head coach MJ Independent asked how it felt for her to have the position.
“It feels pretty good. I have been helping out as an assistant coach for the last two seasons and to finally be head coach it’s turned beautiful and exciting at the same time,” Coach Johnstone said
During the conversation her fellow coaches and players managed to finally pour water over which brought out a good laugh.
A Swift Current Steelers player is tackled - MJ Independent photo
Although Johnstone is the only female head coach in the league - in an all likelihood the first ever female head coach in the league - she pointed out that there are female players participating in the league.
She said that Piper Stewart, who is a member of the Moose Jaw Raiders, is one example of a female being involved in tackle football.
Johnstone herself is a former player in the league.
“I believe this is her first year of football. I’m super stoked to have her and I believe there is a girl on the Falcons team this year. I doubt I am the first female coach (in the league). But I don’t know for sure,” Johnstone said.
A Moose Jaw Raiders player is in a foot race with a Swift Current Steelers player - MJ Independent photo
“I’m proud of my kids tonight. I’m super proud of my kids tonight. I’m super stoked for the season. I’m hoping we get the championship this year.,” Johnstone said.
The Raiders next game is an away game as they play the Estevan Oilers next Saturday evening September 9th at 7 PM in Estevan.
