The gridiron game is within reach for Oilfields students.
That’s the message the Foothills Composite Falcons football program is reinforcing as the partnership between it and Oilfields High School, which has students remain at the Diamond Valley school and play varsity football in Okotoks, has built over the past three years.
“We want to make the sport as accessible to everyone as much as possible,” said Falcons head coach Nathan St. Dennis. “I feel bad for those kids, but it has worked out well and we’ve had a few kids over the years, but we also know there’s a rich history of high school football at Oilfields and we also know they have outstanding athletes in that community.
“We feel like it could be an untapped market in finding great athletes to be a part of our program so we’re trying to get the word out as much as possible.”
Drillers football, dating back to its heyday, had a tremendous track record of success with a familiar name on the sidelines leading his charges.
Bryan Brandford, current Falcons defensive coordinator, led Oilfields to a series of titles at the Tier IV level, most recently winning provincials in the 1999 and 2000 seasons.
With the football program not offered at Oilfields, there have been a number of athletes from the High Country who’ve suited up for the Falcons.
In addition, there’s a connection for many in both communities through the Foothills Eagles minor football program.
“The relationship has been great,” St. Dennis said. “The (Oilfields) athletic director Leigh Bretzlaff has been great in communicating with me and really helpful and we’ve been really impressed with the boys we’ve had come across.”
The Comp’s 2023 provincial runner-up squad featured receiver Nathan Voth, who had two key touchdowns in the provincial final, with defensive lineman Toryn Hayward and defensive back Preston Selk set to return for the 2024 season.
“We love our Diamond Valley boys, they’re hard-working, have great attitudes,” St. Dennis said. “The more people that are part of this, the better.”
The Falcons are running a mini-camp for new players from May 29-30 followed by its full spring camp on June 3, 6 and 10, which then leads to a jamboree on June 14.
The 2024 season officially gets underway with first practice on Aug. 19.
Practices run from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday and games are Friday evening.
The registration numbers are looking encouraging for Foothills, seven-time provincial champions, with approximately 62 athletes signed up for the 2024 campaign.
For more information, contact the Falcons head coach at [email protected].
