Rams set to open playoffs against Henry Wise Wood

By Lethbridge Herald on November 9, 2023.

Herald photo by JUSTIN SEWARD LCI Rams quarterback Marcus Christos tries to find a hole to run through on the line against the Catholic Central Cougars during first-half play of Southern Alberta High School Football League action at Community Stadium in this 2022 file photo. Christos will be expected to lead the team this weekend.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The LCI Rams senior varsity football are to set to host the Henry Wise Wood Warriors in their ASAA Larry Wilson Division regional-based quarter-final tomorrow.  

“I think our focus is always on what we’re doing,” said Darren Majeran, Rams head coach.

“We’ve talked in the past and we still got a really young team and right now the focus is just improving every single day. So the focus is on ourselves. That’s not to say that Henry Wise Wood isn’t a formidable appointment, they look really good on tape, and definitely we’re going to do our best to stop what they’re doing and try to find some daylight on offence.”

“For this game, we prepared to execute our game plan properly,”  said Grade 11 player Alejandro Ogunyemi.

“Which is I think this week mostly throwing the ball to all of our receivers because we have a good core. As well as running it, because we (have) I think  one of the fastest teams in  southern Alberta. So I can’t wait to see what happens.”

 Majeran said they’re big and fast, when asked about their opponent.

“On offence, they look like they execute at a very high level,” he said.

“Defensively, (I) really was impressed by their defensive secondary. They’re very good in coverage. So we got our work cut out for us for sure .”

With playing an independent league type schedule this season, Majaren felt it helped the Rams in knowing where they stacked up in the province coming into playoffs.

“Well I think it’s good to know where you’re at,” he said.

“But I also think in the playoffs, it just comes down to doing what you’re good at, and trusting your guys, and we have a great team and we trust them. I mean whether the Rams are the 20th best team in the province or the best team in the province, we have to attack with the same mentality. It was nice knowing where we stand, at the same time, it’s playoff football now and we have to attack.”

A team strength will lie with quarterback Marcus Christos.

“He’s always a strength for us,” said Majeran.

“Just his competitiveness and his leadership is really helpful to our team.”

Ogunyemi says all the leaders on the team got to step up.

 “Make sure everyone’s calm (and) don’t let anything get them,” he said.

“One mistake doesn’t mean anything. You can easily get that back in the next play.”

Kick-off is at noon from University of Lethbridge Community Sports Stadium on Saturday.

The winning team will move on to play the winner of the All Saints School and Foothills Composite in the Division’s south final next weekend while the loser goes home.