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Locals help South Sask Selects impress at Texas football tournament

Mar 15, 2018 | 5:00 PM

North Battleford native Deklen Robbins’ passion for the game of football is abundantly clear when you sit down and talk to him.

When asked about his favourite part of his trip down to San Antonio, Texas last month to play for the South Sask Selects in the sixth annual Pigskin Classic, the 13-year-old went into detail about specific plays he was involved in, calling one a ‘blast’ and another a ‘wham.’ In the first instance Robbins, as the tight-end, came from behind the O-line and took out their end before he could see it coming.

“I hit the D-lineman and it made this really, really, really loud noise and the dude just kind of gave up. He was just done,” Robbins said, smirking. “The quarterback said that was the biggest hit he’s ever seen.”

That hit took place at the end of February, with Robbins competing on one of four teams the South Sask Selects sent to the Pigskin Classic. Combined, the teams went 8-4, with the 16-U Selects winning their division after a 22-19 victory over the Alamo City Red Raiders.

Travelling so far south (which his family did by car) to compete in the sport he loves was not a first for the Grade 9 student at John Paul II. Last year he played for the 12-U Selects in a tournament in Florida. This time around, he had two John Paul II Crusader teammates, Hunter Priddle and Sam Petersen, suit up with him on the 14-U team.

“They’re also pretty serious about football,” Robbins said. “They asked me some stuff about it, and I said this is honestly probably the greatest youth football thing in Canada.”

The trio helped the Selects 14-U team go 3-1, which included beating the host Alamo City Red Raiders. That game, like many in the tournament, came down to the wire.

“They scored the touchdown, so then we had to score a touchdown and do a convert as well,” Robbins recalled. “The score was 8-6 because kicks were worth two points, as opposed to one. It was an incredibly close game, and this time we were able to pull through.”

Robbins had ups and downs leading up to that incredible experience in the heart of football country. He was just getting into the groove of things with the Crusaders senior football team in late September when he broke his rotator cuff. That meant he wasn’t healthy for South Sask Selects tryouts.

“He got cleared to do non-contact at the Selects tryouts, and so they took him on his reputation and last year’s performance, as well as how he was doing at the camp,” Robbins mother Jennifer said. “They said, ‘if you’re well enough to play, you’re going to San Antonio.’”

He was cleared to play, but not in time for one of the highlights for the Selects, who are based out of Moose Jaw. Every year, they run a three-day skills camp where professionals help instruct. Although he still wasn’t quite healthy, it wasn’t something Robbins was going to miss.

“Khari Jones, Barron Miles; there were a bunch of guys who came in and helped everyone,” Robbins said, adding he was allowed to participate but could not do contact drills. “I got this one pass from Khari Jones, and it was the highlight of the weekend.”

 

nathan.kanter@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @NathanKanter11