Defending champion Valkyries expect to be targeted
By Sean Trembath, The StarPhoenix May 7, 2012
Driving rain and wind couldn't stop the Saskatoon Valkyries from taking the field Saturday night for their green and white scrimmage.
With just a week until the season opener, head coach Jeff Yausie was impressed with the team's progress.
"That was the best I've seen the team yet," he said.
Although the defending Western Women's Football League champions have been practising for more than two months, this was the first time they experienced gamespeed situations. According to Yausie, scrimmaging is key to preparing for the pace of a real game.
"We try to practise at as high intensity as we can, but it's never as high intensity as the game," he said.
Going full speed also gives the coaching staff a chance to see what areas of the team need the most attention in the final run-up to the season. During the scrimmage, the Valkyries' receivers had some trouble, with some very catchable balls ending up on the turf. However, Yausie wasn't willing to use the wet conditions as an excuse.
"Catching the ball is easy in practice, but when someone's coming to hit you it's a whole different animal. We need to catch the ball better and I know the coaches are working hard on it and the players are working hard on it," he said.
Last year's team completely dominated the competition, outscoring opponents 305-27 over the course of six undefeated games.
According to starting quarterback Candice Bloomquist, past success just means opponents will come at the Valkyries extra hard this season.
"I would be surprised if teams don't target us as the team to beat. I think there is going to be teams out there gunning for us," she said.
Bloomquist attributes the team's success to strong coaching. With last year being the team's first, there was a lot for the women to learn about the game.
"The coaches were great. They really broke it down into the component parts so that we could learn it slowly, and then put it all together into the whole game," she said.
With a season under her belt, Bloomquist is more comfortable than she was a year ago.
"I know what it feels like to be in a game already. The veterans know what's going on," she said.
Most of last year's squad has returned, with only four or five departing, according to Yausie. The team also recruited almost 20 new players, bringing the roster close to 50.
The Valyries season begins Sunday with a home game against provincial rivals the Regina Riot. Coach Yausie isn't taking anything for granted.
"It's always nervous, because you don't know until you get on the field and the bullets start flying. The Regina Riot I know are going to be an improved team," he said.
Kickoff for the season opener is 3 p.m. Sunday at Griffiths Stadium.
strembath@thestarphoenix.com
