The coaching staff of the Holy Trinity Academy Knights isn’t using the word re-building this football season despite losing many first-string players from their provincial finalist 2011 team due to graduation.
HTA coach Matt Hassett is using the term reloading and if the first polls of Football Alberta’s rankings are any indication the Knights are already fully loaded.
The Knights were ranked no. 1 in the Tier II rankings after beating the sixth-ranked Sylvan Lake Lakers 20-12 Friday in Sylvan Lake.
“It was a very pre-season game and we got the young guys in quite a bit,” said Knights coach Matt Hassett said. “I was very happy with how we played.”
The Knights lost several key players to graduation, including linebackers Peter Hillman, Jadon Schneider, defensive back Brandon Bellman and quarterback Ryan Hassler. However, they will roll with the return of running back and 2011 MVP Ryder Stone.
Stone had a pair of running touchdowns in the game of approximately 50 yards and seven yards.
The Knights’ other touchdown was from quarterback Hayden Oberg’s pass to Nick Villirreal of 45 yards. Hassett said Oberg was calm in his debut as the Knights’ quarterback, adding the QB recommended the play to Villirreal.
Although Oberg has shown he can throw the ball, the Knights’ main weapon is a Stone.
“Ryder is one of the best backs in Alberta and he might be the strongest player we have ever had,” Hassett said. The speedy Stone has run 4.48s in the 40 yard dash.
“But if teams focus on Ryder, they will find out about some of the other guys,” Hassett said. Helping relieve some of the pressure off Stone will be Austin Boje, a fullback/slotback who transferred from Colorado.
The receiving corps includes Villirreal, Jordan Rae, Jordan Lee and Donovan Curtis.
The offensive line was able to hold its own against Sylvan Lake.
“There are a lot of new guys getting a chance to step up this year on the o-line,” Hassett said.
They include Jason Vandenberg at guard and Geoff Mason at the other guard. The person snapping the ball is still up in the air.
The Knights had one of the best defences in the province last year. Hassett, a former defensive lineman at U of A, said there is talent on the young 2012 squad.
The defence will be led by Grade 11 safety Jordan Rae, who along with Stone played in the Canada Cup for Team Alberta. Logan Armstrong and Josh Woehleke are penciled in at defensive back and the other members of the secondary will be done by committee, including Stone.
The linebackers are led by Grade 12 student Sam Stange, who was rotated into HTA’s all-star group last year. Adam Colosimo, Nick Bonertz and Colton Vessey will also see lots of action.
The defensive line will include Vandenberg, Mason and Joel Visser.
The Knights’ first home game is Saturday at Knight Field when they play the Kalamalka Lakers at 11 a.m.
Key losses: Brandon Bellman (DB); Jadon Schneider (LB); Matt Thompson (OL), Ryan Hassler (QB)
Key returnees: Ryder Stone, Jordan Rae, Sam Stange,
Key new players: Austin Boge, Nick Villireal
Knights schedule
Sept. 8 Kalamalka 11 a.m.
Sept. 14 @ Rundle 7 p.m.
Sept. 21 @ Raymond
Sept. 28 Foothills 7 p.m.
Oct. 4 Highwood 5 p.m. ¸
