The Central Cyclones returned to the city final last season, but came up just short in a loss to the four-time defending champion, Peacock Tornadoes.

After completing that big step last season, the Cyclones are looking to take their game to the next level this season and get back on top of the Moose Jaw High School Football League

“The goal every year is to get into that city final and anything can happen in that game,” said head coach Colin Belsher. “Peacock has been strong for many years now, and we’ve been strong as well but just haven’t been able to get where we need to get to... These kids are working hard to get there and hopefully we get there.”

The Cyclones are preparing for the upcoming season, which opens on Thursday with Peacock taking on Vanier at Gutheridge Field in one of three games around the province.

Central won’t be in action during Week 1 as they get an opening week bye with some extra time to prepare, they’re confident that they can hit the ground running this season.

“It helps in terms of Xs and Os, it maybe helps a little cardio-wise we can get in a little bit better shape before the season starts,” said Belsher. “We’re heading up to Saskatoon on Friday in lieu of our bye, so we’ll kind of see where we stand when we play some of those bigger teams.”

Cyclones head coach Colin Belsher talks to his team during a practice this week.

Coming into the season, the Cyclones are a younger team, but they have veterans in key positions, especially on offence with quarterback Ryan Reidy back under centre for a second season.

The grade 12 pivot is feeling more confident after learning during his rookie season.

“I feel like I progressed a lot over the offseason,” said Reidy. “The game is starting to slow down and I’m starting to see things better.”

Reidy will have two key weapons to work with as receivers Jonah Branning and Joel Litt-Jukes return to the fold. Reidy doesn’t think you will be able to focus in on just those two players however when trying to slow down the Cyclones.

“Honestly everyone is a key to our offence, we have a lot of talent and a lot of skillful players, so I think that everyone can make a play,” he said.

Litt-Jukes added that their work ethic offensive will be the biggest across the board.

“We’ve just got to work hard and play how we think we can play,” said Litt-Jukes. “We just think that we have a lot of skill and a lot of talent and we work hard every play.”

Defensively, the Cyclones are focusing on finding success as a unit rather than relying on some bigger name players like their offence.

“We’re younger on defence, but we do have some older, new faces on the team that should be able to contribute early on for us,” said Belsher. “We’re just hoping to go out there, be competitive and we’ll see where they chips fall.”

A new season always brings excitement and after a strong year last year, the Cyclones are chomping at the bit to get their year underway.

“We have a lot of new guys, a lot of returning guys and you can tell that the kids put in a lot of work over the summer,” said Belsher. “We’re ready to go as coaches and they are as players, you can tell by the way that they’re practicing on the field and we’re just looking forward to that first match-up we have.”

Central will open their season on Saturday, Sept. 10 against the Vanier Vikings at Gutheridge Field.

The opening week of games has the Vikings battling Peacock on Thursday at Gutheridge. Kick-off is at 4 p.m. The two out-of-town games that day feature Yorkton heading to Swift Current and Weyburn hosting Estevan.