The countdown to Texas is on for the Saskatchewan Selects, but there’s a lot of work that needs to be done before the team hits the field in San Antonio in February.

The Sask Selects will be taking three teams — 12U, 14U and 16U — to the sixth annual International Pigskin Classic this season and those teams hit the field at Yara Centre in Moose Jaw this past weekend to begin preparations for the tournament, which opens in just over 80 days.

“It’s nice to have the guys here after the tryout camp to get them in action and actually go through our base systems on offence was really exciting, they did some great stuff,” said 16U coach Addison Richards, a former CFL player with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

The program will see the players meet for multiple weekends over the next 2+ months to install their offensive and defensive plays as they prepare to take on teams from Texas, California, Virginia, Mexico and Manitoba at the tournament.  They will also have to adjust to playing American rules with 11 players on the field.

This weekend was the first set of practices for the teams together after the evaluation camp a few weeks ago.

“We just started to put in our base systems, stuff that we went through at the tryout camp, so it was a bit of a review with a little bit of new stuff and they picked it up really well,” said Richards, who is in his fifth year as a coach with the program.

“With the receivers that we have, there’s some good talent, we have a really talented offensive line, so to see them in action with our stuff that we’re going to take down to Texas was great.”

The players were battling hard during their first practices together over the weekend at Yara Centre. (Photo: Marc Smith)

U16 quarterback Kayman Mellor is entering his third winter with the program and he said he was pleased with the progress that they were able to make over the two days of practice.

“It went really good, this is one of the best weekends that we’ve had in the 3-4 years that I’ve been playing, the chemistry on offence is looking great,” said the Campbell Collegiate grade 10.

“Our offence looks unreal this year; the defence is pretty good, still needs some work; but we have a real good chance to win this year.”

The players will be back on the field on Dec. 15-17 for the program’s Performance Skills Camp.  The 12U and 14U teams will then host exhibition games against the Manitoba Selects on Jan. 6-7, as well as practices over that weekend.

The International Pigskin Classic kicks off in San Antonio, TX. on Feb. 24-25.