Central RB Zach Hagerman cuts up field during their season opening game against the Peacock Tornadoes at Gutheridge Field.

The Central Cyclones haven’t got off to the start to the season that they were hoping for as they’ve struggled to a 1-2 record, which included a 24-20 loss in Weyburn last weekend.

That loss has the Cyclones looking to get back on track this Saturday when they host the Estevan Elecs at Gutheridge Field as part of a Moose Jaw High School Football League doubleheader.

Estevan comes into the game with an 0-3 record and have had a rough start to the year, but that doesn’t mean Central will be taking them easy.

“The teams that haven’t won anything are the most dangerous teams in the league because they have nothing to lose,” said running back Zach Hagerman.  “We’re a team that doesn’t like to take any opponent lightly regardless of their record, especially this year because the league is so tight in talent.”

Central was exposed in the running game against Weyburn last week as they gave 343 rushing yards to the Eagles’ option offence.

“We knew what was coming, were they in the right spot every time? Probably not, but it comes down to how hard you want to play,” said Head Coach Colin Belsher.  “You want to work harder than the guy across from you and if you do, you’re going to be successful and in that aspect, they really out worked us.”

Central trailed 17-6 at halftime in the game, battled back to take the lead by three, but Belsher said they just didn’t have enough in the tank to come away with the win that game.

“When you’re down at half and you realize you’re in a game, you’ve got to be able to fight back and good teams are able to fight back from those mistakes,” said Belsher.  “It is what it is and now we just look forward to this weekend.”

Coming off the loss, the Cyclones are determined to get back into the win column with a home game this week.

“Focus has been our moto this week, we need to focus, we need guys giving their whole effort when they’re here and that’s going to be the key factor this weekend, and for the rest of the season too,” said Hagerman.

Central knows that Estevan is going to come in hard looking for the upset and their first win of the season.

“We’ve watched a lot of film this week and getting prepared for a team that hasn’t won yet, but that usually makes those team very dangerous,” said Belsher.  “They’re playing for it all and you give them one small little window and they’re going to take advantage of it.”

The Cyclones and Elecs hit the field at 3:15pm on Saturday afternoon.  The first half of the doubleheader has the 2-0 Peacock Tornadoes taking on the 0-2 Vanier Vikings at 1:00pm.

Other league action has the 2-0 Yorkton Raiders heading down to Weyburn to battle the 2-1 Eagles.