No weather is too extreme to stop the varsity Interlake Thunder football team from finding success.
It’s something head coach Christof Hasselfield had prepared his team for earlier this season, but as temperatures drop and rainy weather sets in, the Thunder have proven they can handle whatever gets thrown their way.
On a windy and rainy Sunday afternoon in Winnipeg, the Thunder improved to 5-0 with a 35-12 win over the Falcons Football Club.
Running back AJ Nadon was one of the busiest players on the field, racking up 240 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries. The Thunder kept their passing game minimal in the wet conditions, but still connected with Trevin Smith for a passing touchdown.
Though Hasselfield would like to use his receivers a bit more, he said he trusts his team’s ability to adapt to any play style.
“Gritty win by the guys. They stuck to it, they played tough,” said Hasselfield. “They kept going even in the weather and being cold, so at the end of the day, a win’s a win — we’re pretty happy with it.”
The Thunder defence was dominant, allowing zero points through the opening three quarters. Cornerback Marlo La Pierre led the charge with a pick-six, while also providing a spark on punt and kick returns.
“Anytime you can get any type of points off turnovers like that, field position is so huge — it’s going to be big,” Hasselfield said. “He also set up two touchdowns on sneaks from (Christian) Mozdzen on two huge punt returns, so he was a major part of 21 of our 35 points and doesn’t take a snap on offence, so hats off to him.”
Hasselfield also praised rookie left guard Caleb Miyai for helping pave the way for the Thunder’s powerful run game.
“When you watch the tape, he had a great game finding linebackers in the second level, so we could turn some of those maybe four-yard runs in the second half into 15- and 20-yard runs, which I think really sealed the game for us,” said Hasselfield.
The Thunder now prepare for their final home game of the regular season on Saturday when they host the Virden Golden Bears at Collège Stonewall Collegiate Field.
The Golden Bears have struggled on both sides of the ball this year, giving the Thunder an opportunity to take advantage in what could be the final home appearance for the team’s graduating seniors.
Interlake currently holds home-field advantage if the playoffs started today, but will need to close out the regular season strong with games against Virden this week and Moosomin the following week before the postseason picture becomes clear.
Kickoff against Virden is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Collège Stonewall Collegiate Field.
