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Wildcats exhibition game a ‘learning experience’

The Stettler Wildcats football team hit the road last week and travelled to Lloydminster for a pre-season
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Wildcats defense worked hard but could not stop the hosts from opening their lead in their exhibition game in Lloydminster on Friday

The Stettler Wildcats football team hit the road last week and travelled to Lloydminster for a pre-season exhibition game, which they lost 33-13.

Though they lost the game, coach Norbert Baharally said the game was a learning experience for the team, as they learn to work together and tried out different positions.

“We only had 22 players, which is not a lot,” Baharally said of the game's lineup. “By the second half, I think we had 17 still healthy.”

Baharally said there were several steep learning curves as players tried out different roles during the game, though he noted the coaches would only ask players to take positions they knew they'd be comfortable in.

“We wouldn't put a player in a position where he felt vulnerable,” Baharally said.

The first half of the game was close, with Lloydminster only leading by a few points, and only because the Wildcats didn't capitalize on a touchdown opportunity, Baharally noted.

In the second half, though, the Lloydminster team's offense pushed back at the Wildcats, and the Stettler team fumbled or didn't complete passes, letting their opponent widen the gap.

The regular season begins this week with a home game on the football field at William E. Hay Composite High School at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 12.