Giants back on gridiron

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This article was published 08/10/2021 (1644 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Giants football is back!

After the 2020 Winnipeg High School Football League season was cancelled owing to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Giants kicked the 2021 season off with a big win on Sept. 29, defeating the Kelvin Clippers 32-6.

“It feels good, after almost two years to be back competing and practising with the guys,” said Grade 12 quarterback and safety Valentine Adedeji-Afeye, a veteran on the team who played his Grade 10 year.

“This summer got us busy with flag football stuff, but it isn’t the same as padding up and playing tackle,” Famous Aghayere, a Grade 12 defensive back, running back, and receiver for the Giants, added. “Coach has been keeping us busy, making sure we get what we need to have the chance to play football this year.”

While Adedeji-Afeye and Aghayere both came to the field with prior football experience, that wasn’t the case for all Elmwood’s Grade 12 players.

For twin brothers Kurubel and Yesake Abegaz, this year marks their first as varsity football players, though both have played junior varsity volleyball for the school in the past.

“I was on the team in Grade 10,” Kurubel, a linebacker and receiver, said. “But I didn’t really play. I’ve learned a lot. It feels good to be able to play the game I’ve been wanting to play for a long time and be a part of the team.”

“It’s really fun sharing the field with my brother,” Yesake, a receiver and DB, said. “I really like the intensity and the energy that everybody has, the team work. We always support each other and we always have our backs.”

Isaac Caulker, a Grade 12 slot back and DB, is also new to football this fall.

“I just love the energy and intensity,” Caulker said. “It’s like a really physical sport, which is fun sometimes. You can hit guys and they can hit you, or make them not hit you.”

On Oct. 7, the Giants were back in action, losing 27-7 to the Sisler Spartans.

To continue on with a successful season, the Giants intend to stick together and focus on fundamentals.

“We just want to get better at all the little things, getting more reps, just getting better,” Kurubel Abegaz said.

“Keep working together, be there for each other and hold each other accountable,” Adedeji-Afeye said. “We’re going to have to come and play hard every time we’re on the field.”

“We all want to take it to the next level and do something good with it,” Aghayere said. “Us, our team, we always look after each other no matter what.”

On Thurs., Oct. 15, Elmwood will take on the Murdoch MacKay Clansmen. Thurs., Oct. 22 has the Giants lining up against the River East Kodiaks, finishing up the season on Thurs., Oct. 29 playing the Springfield Sabres.

Sheldon Birnie
Community Journalist

Sheldon Birnie is a reporter/photographer for the Free Press Community Review. The author of Missing Like Teeth: An Oral History of Winnipeg Underground Rock (1990-2001), his writing has appeared in journals and online platforms across Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. A husband and father of two young children, Sheldon enjoys playing guitar and rec hockey when he can find the time. Email him at sheldon.birnie@freepress.mb.ca Call him at 204-697-7112

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