Key positions, players to factor into Coyotes success

By Lethbridge Herald on September 2, 2025.

Chinook Coyote football players practice tackling drills at practice on Tuesday.

BY Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The Chinook Coyotes varsity football team feel they are having a great couple of weeks of preparation ahead of a new season.

“We’ve had a great first couple of weeks here,” said Nick Straat, Coyotes head coach.

“We had our first exhibition game last week against a Calgary team and had a great showing. We have bunch of Grade 12s on the team this year, and  a lot of returning players (and) a lot of guys that put a lot of time into themselves in the off-season.”

The success of the team will come from multiple positions.

“By the end of last year, a lot of our receivers and defensive backs were our Grade 11s and so that’s probably our strongest group going into this season,” said Straat.

Chinook is  enthused about their receivers and secondary in terms of an early strong point after last week’s exhibition tilt.

“The guy we’re gonna be leaning on is  (middle linebacker) Lachlan Fletcher.”

“A leader on our team, a captain on our team and just an absolute beast on the field.”

A player to watch for is Grade 12  quarterback Cohen Berberich, who is new to the position in his senior year.

“Walking into meetings, he was  already ahead on the playbook,” said  Straat.

“We have a schedule for installing plays and I’d walk in, tell him what we’re installing, and he’d know exactly what I’m talking about already.”

Fletcher has noticed  players  looking up to one another in preparation.

“ We’re trusting each other and we’re building these relationships that will help us win games,” said Fletcher.

Strong passing and have an aggressive defence are what Fletcher thinks will be the team’s strength.

Chinook opens Prairie Sky Conference regular season action against Cardston on Sept.12.