Raiders Upset Vikings To Grab U14 Crown
For most of this season the Moose Jaw U14 Raiders haven a machine under fine tuning. An adjustment here and an adjustment there as the Raiders tried to get everything running smoothly.
A little bit out of tune in the semi-final but the Vikings were able to pull off a late game victory to reach the final.
Then at Saturday’s league final everything started to click for the Raiders as they faced the undefeated Vikings.
If there was ever perfect timing for the Raiders it was Saturday as all of their fame seemed to click as they defeated the Vikings 23 - 14 and claim the 2026 U14 league championship.
“They worked hard. You know we preached all week it was going to take a team effort today to play today. The offences and defences both showed up and so did special teams. All three phases today of the ball we were firing. I’m really happy,” said Raiders head coach Zachary Klyne.
Asked how it felt to win the championship when the Raiders were not the team favoured to take it Klyne said it was nice to pull it off.
“Our last game against Weyburn kind of tested the grit that we had. We kind of knew today coming into it we had the team that could win it. We just needed to show up,” he said.
Klyne said he had told the team after practice that anyone on any other day could win so don’t give up.
“Just show up and work your butts off you guys will be fine.”
The defence came out strong.
“They worked hard. That was the best complete game they put together.”
On the offensive side the Raiders were well oiled and clicking.
“We really didn’t know what we had coming in because their defence is good. They’ve been tough the last two games. We started weak in the first two drives as we really couldn’t move the ball a d the. We had and drive for a touchdown and….(we) had that 80 yard run for a touchdown in the second quarter that kind of brought the energy back upon on our bench.”
Klyne said the coaching staff had the most fun this season.
“I think it was us. I think at the end of the game when you saw the kids celebrate I think the stress of the game wasn’t theirs. I think us coaches we knew we had the team that could do it but i think how everyday we spent two and a half months with those kids everyday Monday to Friday. I think at the end of the day we had the most fun.”
Klyne said the biggest thing for next year will be building an offence as many of the kids that were on the team this year will be off the high school school and those football programs.
A young defence is expected to return next year to fill a core of experienced players.
He said he would like to give a huge shout out to the entire team for the effort they put in this year and how that effort paid off in the end.
Although he doesn’t have any children in the program Klyne said he would like to return next year as a coach.
Despite the loss there was no moping mood from the Vikings who were ten points away from a perfect season.
“We came out a little short. It was a good battle. We took the battle a little hard. The Raiders played hard and they’re a well coached team. They just had our number tonight. We couldn’t get things going on either side of the ball we were short some bodies…we grind it as hard as we can,” Vikings head coach Brock Montgomery said.
“It started to snowball on us and we ran out of gas.”
Gymnastics - MJ Independent photo
“They’re a good team. We knew it. Nothing they did surprised us. We know they’re a good team,” Montgomery said, adding “ they’ve got good defence. They’ve got good offence. We had to grind it out and just came out a little short tonight.”
Montgomery said he wasn’t disappointed with the outcome.
“I’m not disappointed it’s a U 14 football game. These kids played well. We’ve got a lot of kids who became a lot better football players I can guarantee you that.”
Although there are players who are graduating into high school programs Montgomery said he told those returning that “we should be able to change the ending next year.”
He said being named U14 Coach of the year came as a complete surprise.
“It’s a nice surprise I didn’t expect anything like that. It’s easy to put in time for these kids. I enjoy it at all levels.”
He was split on who had the most fun over the season the coaches or the players.
“I hope them but I have a lot of fun coaching these kids. As I was saying winning would have been great but watching how good some of these kids got as the year went on and how well this team was able to play got most of the season is rewarding.”
Asked if he was returning next season the coach he said he was for sure.
“I’ll be back for many seasons I’m not going anywhere.”
He said he would like to add a message for Coach Jamie of the Raiders it too early for retirement.
“We’ve had many battles over the years. He’s a great guy. He’s been great for the league for many years. Nothing but respect for him and I know he says this is his last year but I’d like to see him on the sidelines again.”
