Changing the culture.
In team sports, it’s a pleasant way of saying you’re tired of losing.
The Bow Valley High School Bobcats football team did more than talk about it last year. They put their boots to the ground, winning a high-school regional playoff qualifier 51-6 against High River in November before falling to Claresholm’s Willow Park in the provincial quarterfinal.
Bobcats formerly playing “for fun” want to carry that change-the-culture momentum forward this season.
To that end, a handful of senior Bobcats and younger players congregated Aug. 21, putting in some equipment-free reps under rainy skies. There were no coaches, just players getting a head start on a high-school season kicking-off Sept. 5 with the Rocky View Sports Association exhibition jamboree.
“It looks good. We want to build on last season,” said Bobcats senior running back/slotback Scott Haigh, an all-star with the Cochrane Midget Lions club team in the spring. “Try to keep building the program for the future.
“Bobcats are about winning. It’s not just about having fun. We have to change the culture – and we have. We just have to instill in the young guys what we’ve started.”
Centre Lennie Tingley, who with Haigh helped the Midget Lions win their first two games in 20 tries, wants to lead by example in his Bow Valley High senior year.
“It’s looking pretty good,” Tingley said. “Hopefully we can get some Grade 9’s and get them on the field and let them know football is a great part of high school. We want to see the team succeed as much as we can.”
Both were fully dressed and banging heads with 20 other players as the Bobcats opened official high-school training camp Aug. 25 at the school’s Stewie Devlin Field. More players are expected to join once the school bell rings next week. But the early turnout numbers are good.
“We’re here to play. We’re confident with the team,” said Bobcats receiver coach Dave Coleman. “I think we’re getting a good group of guys out. We’re not fighting the numbers any more.”
Their success in high school 1A competition, and a strong returning core group including Tingley, Haigh, quarterback Zach Kibzey and linebacker Cole Perron give the Bobcats a look they haven’t had in seasons past.
“The kids are feeling it. We’re bringing the football philosophy and the winning philosophy,” Coleman continued as offensive coach Don Teece worked with the quarterbacks, receivers and running backs. “The kids are getting the experience and the coaching they need to be successful.”
The on the road to changing the team culture, the Bobcats aim to take another step in the right direction this season.
