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INTERVIEWS: Representing Team South; Hat High players to play in Senior Bowl

Apr 25, 2017 | 4:06 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Only the best high school football players in Alberta compete in the annual Senior Bowl.

More times than not, anyone playing in the highly prestigious, scout-infested game goes on to play collegiate or in the Canadian Junior Football League. It’s a huge stepping stone for those hoping to one day ink their name to a professional contract.

And three senior players for the Hat High Mohawks have made the cut.

Austin Cross Child, Riley Thomson, and Carter Schlenker, all of which graduating from high school this spring, will help make up the 41-man roster for the 2017 Senior Bowl on May 22nd at Calgary’s McMahon Stadium.

“A relief,” said Thomson when asked how it felt see his name dawned on the South Team’s roster. “About 12 hours, 24 hours we were just sitting there waiting. Right when I saw the text message from my buddy Austin, I had made it and it was all good.”

More than a dozen local products went to the Senior Bowl South Camp this past weekend in Calgary. Cross Child, Thomson, and Schlenker were the only one’s selected, with more from Hat High, Crescent Heights, McCoy Monsignor taking part, along with several more from other schools near the city.

Two players from Brooks also made the team. Defensive back Sendlay Mirtil and runningback Van Kiana will join the three Mohawks for the big game next month.

Thomson, an outside linebacker for the Mohawks, says it was difficult pinning himself against his fellow teammates at camp but understands that’s the nature of the situation.

“The whole weekend was really competitive,” added Thomson. “The scrimmage got kind of chippy, some guys were mouthing off, that kind of stuff. It was really competitive and there was a lot of talent at that camp.”

Now these three players shift from the competitive feel at camp to returning as teammates for a challenging test against a highly skilled Team North.

Making the roster was a little more difficult for Cross Child. Normally making up the offensive line for the Mohawks, the Grade 12 signed up as part of the defensive line at South Camp, thinking he’d have a better shot at making the team. 

All was good, until he was switched back to his spot on the DL mid-camp.

“I was fine with it,” said Cross Child modestly. “It was just the plays… I didn’t study them because I didn’t think I’d get switched. But it was still an easy switch to learn the plays.

“I obviously messed up a couple times because they gave me about 20 seconds to look at the plays we had. But obviously they thought I did something right… they kept me in for the whole weekend.”

Cross Child says he hopes playing in the Senior Bowl will open the door for more opportunities in the future.

“Hopefully I can go onto the next level. University level or junior or just something. It would be fun, I’d like to continue my football career as long as I can,” he added.

Thomson already has his sights set on playing for the CJFL next fall and one day playing CIS. Playing in the big game next month will hopefully lead to a team extending a contract his way.

“I just want to play as long as I can,” Thompson said. “Get an education if I can. Work hard, and see where it can take me. Maybe get a degree, something like that.”