Muskie football tryouts begin Monday

    With fall around the corner, football season isn’t far behind, and Muskie football tryouts will begin Monday evening.
    In addition to the rookie Grade 9 students, who will be looking to make the team out of camp, there will be another first timer—new head coach Vince Gouin. Gouin said he’s excited to take over the reins of the team and is looking forward to the season.
    “I think we have a chance to do quite well,” he said. “We’ve got a good group of Grade 11s and a strong group of Grade 12s . . . I’m expecting a good year.”
    Practices will run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., from Monday until Wednesday, Aug. 29. Preseason will begin the next day, when the team will head to Tec Voc High School in Winnipeg for four half-hour scrimmage matches starting at 4 p.m.
    Preseason competition will include Tec Voc and Maples Collegiate of Winnipeg, as well as Muskie rivals Beaver Brae and Dryden.
    Games will begin the next week, running on Fridays throughout September and October. The season will kick off with a game against Sturgeon Heights on Sept. 7 at 3 p.m. The first away game for the team will be at St. Paul’s in Winnipeg the following week. Playoffs begin Oct. 25.
    All those interested in attending tryouts are encouraged to phone Gouin ahead of time at 274-7747, extension 553, although the coach said he’d be happy to see players come out to the field on Monday.
    “Everyone is welcome to come in and give it a go. Last year I think we had 38 players on our roster,” he said, and that with so many positions to fill, extra competition is appreciated.
    All equipment will be provided for prospects during the camp. Attendees are encouraged to bring cleats, but Gouin said running shoes will be fine for tryouts.
    The coach insisted that even with a new face at the helm of the Muskie team, his goal is to stay true to the tradition of the team and hold the players to the usual high Muskie standard.
    “They do a great job at being ambassadors to our town,” he said, “and the football part they do quite well. We’re always hard-nosed right from the first whistle, right down to the end.”
    Gouin added that the team is saddened about the passing of starting linebacker Ben Klyne, killed in a car accident in Alberton on Friday morning. He said the team will pay some sort of tribute to Klyne, although details have not yet been decided.