South Kam senior coach says high school is “just better football”

Lancaster feels high school football should be the measuring stick by which the game is judged in Kamloops, not how the junior Kamloops Broncos are fairing.

In the wake of Valleyview and Westsyde’s senior programs folding this season, the Broncos have said they’ll feel the impact. President Darren Watt suggested starting up a community Midget team, so the impacted high school players can keep playing this year.

“Bantam and Midget to me is the option that makes the most sense to us because it keeps the kids who are already playing community together,” said Watt speaking to CFJC Today earlier this month. “They can use the same schematics, the same scheme as what we use here. I’d like to see the Midget team practice with [the Broncos] a couple days a week. That way, we can continue them on their learning paths.”

However, Lancaster strongly disagrees. “It’s short-sighted and not the right route,” said Lancaster.

“The competition level at high school is so much stronger. For instance, we practice four days a week, play the fifth. It’s full-on. A lot of the Midget teams, they’re looking at twice-a-week practice schedule and it’s just not as intense.”

Lancaster cited examples of Midget-heavy programs in Chilliwack, Surrey and Langley recently switching their focus to high school football and having success. “Chilliwack, you have GW Graham and Sardis. Surrey, Lord Tweedsmuir. Langley Secondary’s the second-ranked team in the province. So there’s a reason those communities that were Midget-focused before have gone to high school. It’s just better football.”

In terms of the players at Valleyview and Westsyde who now have to sit out a year, Lancaster wishes they could transfer to South Kam.

“I don’t have a solution for that. I think Westsyde’s doing the right thing by having a junior team and trying to rebuild, and then that’s what it takes, is you’re going to have to go through that rebuild cycle,” said Lancaster. “That’s been the reality here at South Kam, but I think it’s having, we’re fortunate to have a young and energetic coaching staff that weathered those years and got through it.”

Lancaster suggested a spring football team to bring together the players from across the city. But he still feels high school ball is the best way to develop talent.

by Chad Klassen

South Kam senior coach says high school is “just better football”

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