Griffins off to an impressive start

I was disappointed a year ago when Horton High School decided to delay its high school football debut. Horton versus NKEC, with Avon View thrown in for good measure, would have made for a natural three-way rivalry, with all the teams in their inaugural year and pretty much on an even footing.

However, without a firm commitment from a head coach and arguably some misgivings about the on-field product, Horton officials decided to err on the side of caution. It became obvious Horton’s decision was the correct one, and the school would likely end up with a stronger and more stable program.

NKEC and Avon View now both have a year’s head start but, from what I saw in Horton’s inaugural game Sept. 9 in Greenwich, it might not matter.

The Griffins showed their inexperience at times and had a lot of beginner mistakes and lapses in judgement but, all in all, they showed they have some talent, and, more than anything, the willingness to learn. The Griffins also squeaked out a 21-20 win - almost incidental. While it’s always nice to win, at this stage it’s far more important to play good fundamentals and learn from the experience.

Horton coaching staff should be pleased with the way the players competed against a more established team, and also with how they handled themselves both on the field and on the sidelines. The school should be pleased with how well - and how quickly - the coaching staff, led by former Acadia lineman Alec Hyndman, has gotten the players ready for their debut.

I still like the format that allows the newer teams in the NSSAF high school league to play in a second tier against teams of more or less their own skill level, while also playing one or two of the better teams along the way to get a taste of the competition.

NKEC, which has chosen to spend a second year at the Tier 2 level, and Avon View, which has decided to move up to Tier 1, both benefitted from this opportunity last season. Their two head-to-head games were both competitive and entertaining contests.

This year, I’m expecting Horton’s two games with NKEC, set for Sept. 23 in Canning and Oct. 7 in Wolfville, to be the same. The Titans are likely to be better than they showed in their season opener, a 26-6 loss to Cole Harbour, and the Griffins have certainly shown the ability to compete.

Successful season sneaking up on Wildcats

Meanwhile, the Kentville Wildcats continue to write quite a story in the Nova Scotia Senior Baseball League.

Since June 23, the Wildcats, with a talented blend of youth and experience, have quietly won 17 of 20 games, including four of five in their first-round playoff series with Halifax and a 5-4 win over Dartmouth in Sept. 9’s first game of the NSSBL final.

Sunday’s win was also Kentville’s fifth in seven tries against the Moosehead Dry this season and, while the Wildcats may not defeat Dartmouth when all is said and done, this has the makings of a very good series.

Here’s hoping Memorial Park is jammed for Kentville’s three home games. Not only do the Wildcats deserve the support, but time is running short to see this talented team play - both in terms of this season and maybe ever, with a lot of the Wildcats’ veterans rapidly approaching the end of their careers.