Hibernation is over after a lengthy winter, and Airdrie's U17 football team is ready to hit the field once again.
The Airdrie Raiders will kick off their 2023 Calgary Spring Football Association (CSFA) campaign at 8:15 p.m. this evening against the Calgary Chiefs. The game will be at Hellard Field at Shouldice Athletic Park in northwest Calgary.
Airdrie will have high hopes in 2023, after finishing runners-up in the CSFA last spring. Following a strong regular season and playoff run in 2022, the Raiders fell 14-5 to the unbeaten Calgary Cowboys in the Division 1 championship game.
Head coach Steve Kemp said he and his players are itching to get going, considering how close they came to winning a league championship last year.
"We're really excited and looking forward to it," he said. "The first two weeks were actually delayed because of the weather and snow, so we're champing at the bit to get going and see what kind of team we have."
The Raiders are comprised of players ranging from Grade 9 to 11, and players join the squad from both Airdrie and Cochrane, as well as other outlying communities. Considering the strength of high-school football teams in the Rocky View County region last fall, Airdrie's spring football team should be a pretty talented group.
"Airdrie football in general is doing pretty well," Kemp said. "We're combining all those [high-school] teams. I think historically, this is one of our strongest teams. However, numbers across the league are way up, and that usually means good talent has come in. So i think it's going to be a competitive league and a competitive season. But I like our chances."
For CSFA schedules, scores, and other info, visit site1451.goalline.ca
