Several young football players from the southeast are preparing to make an escape from the Saskatchewan winter, to Texas.

Four from the Peewee Chargers, two from the Bantam Oilers and four from the ECS Elecs are participating in this year's Sask Selects organization, which will take their preparation south of the border in February to the the International Pigskin Football Tournament in San Antonio.

"This is big for Penta Completions Estevan Minor Football and of course the high school program. It lets us know that we're having some success on the field, that we're sending teams to an international event like this," says Kevin Mortensen, the President of EMF, "Our numbers keep increasing with this team. About three years ago, I think, we sent four so we've more than doubled that. Seems to be getting stronger attended each year by our players."

The varsity players taking part in San Antonio.

He notes that it becomes quite the learning experience for the young players.

"I know that a couple of them, like James Knibbs...he's been playing running back, I believe, and with the Selects he's been playing defensive end. They get a different perspective from the other side of the ball. Speaking of perspective, they get to see an international event, it's maybe a little bit more competitive because they've got teams from Mexico and the United States. They do play American rules, too."

Practice continues until the beginning of January, when the Inter-provincial tournament takes place. Practice resumes again afterwards until Feburary 20th, when they head below the border.

A list of players is below:

  • Tyson Logue playing on the 14u for Selects: Position is Defensive Tackle
  • Chayton Fornwald on the 12U for Selects: Position is Defensive Back
  • Kobe Wotta on the 11U with Selects: Position is Defensive Back
  • Dorian Sifton on the 11U with Selects: Position is Wide Reciever
  • Preston Sibley on the 11U with Selects: Position is Offensive Tackle
  • Tristen Tober on the 11U with Selects: Position is Slot Back
  • James Knibbs on the 16u with Selects: Position is Defensive End
  • Parker Lavoie on the 16U with Selects: Position is Offensive Line
  • Kolby Janssen on the 16U with Selects: Position is Defensive End
  • Brennen Stubel on the 16U with Selects: Position is Defensive Back
  • Hunter Eagles on the 14U with Selects: Position is Linebacker