It was a back-and-forth football affair Saturday afternoon at Colts Field - one that swung in favour of the visiting Moose Jaw Central Cyclones.

The Colts lost their season opener 35-30 to the Cyclones.

It was a game that saw a bit of everything on offence, defence, and special teams for both Swift and Central.

Central came out flying, swarming the Colts offence, and also getting a hand on a Colts punt - that resulted in a quick 14-0 deficit for Swift Current.

However, the Colts were able to settle into a rhythm on offence, aided by a plethora of penalties from the visiting Cyclones.

Marching down the field, Swift Current finally found the end zone on a 1-yard quarterback keeper by Carter Moberg.

Then, after a Central drive stalled with just seconds left on the clock in the first quarter, Moose Jaw was forced to punt. Rhett Vavra was able to tie the game up, taking the ball 45 yards to the house for a major.

"I think it's probably a good lesson for our guys," said head coach Derek Murdoch. "We weren't ready to go, and all of a sudden it's 14-0. Happy that we responded and that we came back and made it 14-14 at the end of the first quarter, but we just made too many mistakes - both sides of the ball, and special teams."

Both teams again traded touchdowns in the second quarter. Swift Current's came on a 7-yard toss from Moberg to receiver Carson Letkeman.

It was all Colts in the third quarter. Moberg found Owen Ljunggren on an intermediate route, with the receiver rumbling the rest of the way for an 18-yard touchdown.

With Swift Current up 28-21, and with just one quarter remaining, Central began rekindling that rhythm.

Cyclones running back Ryan Vincent, as part of 26 carries and 223 yards rushing on the day, found success evading Colts defenders in the fourth quarter.

The Cyclones grounded and pounded the ball down the field on multiple drives to leap ahead to a 35-28 lead.

Swift Current was still able to move the ball in the final 12 minute quarter, Central stalled their final two drives with a pair of clutch interceptions.

The Colts forced the Cyclones to take a safety late in the game, but no more points would come from Swift Current's late push.

The Colts host Moose Jaw Peacock in their annual Thursday Night Lights game - a game that routinely elevates the energy and excitement throughout the team.

"We've got three days of practice starting Monday, and we're going to focus on better and just executing," said Murdoch on the short turn-around. "The nerves, to a certain extent, you can't do much about it. These guys are going to be excited, and maybe that'll equate into a better start, because that's what we need."

In other games in the Moose Jaw High School Football League, Yorkton defeated Vanier 42-3 and Peacock defeated Estevan 27-7. 

This week, Estevan travels to Weyburn Friday and Vanier and Central square off at Gutheridge Field.