A storied rivalry renewed: LCI Rams and Raymond Comets set for another high school football clash – Lethbridge
Southern Alberta soccer followers are going to be handled to a battle of acquainted foes on Friday evening when the LCI Rams and Raymond Comets face off for a Tier I South Zone Championship.
And whereas the title on the road is essential to each groups, a specific amount of delight can be on the road with the pair of faculties boasting one of the crucial storied rivalries within the space.
“LCI and Raymond — most years, it may go both approach,” mentioned Comets coach Brad Baker. “It goes again a very long time and it all the time seems to be a heated rivalry — and a enjoyable rivalry — that the children get to take part in.
“Rising up in Raymond and being part of it, it’s one thing that stays with you for a very long time after too.”
Rams coach Patrick Leahy agreed that the historical past of the rivalry is deeply rooted locally.
“It’s a cultural establishment, proper? Like, it’s one thing that individuals who performed in that rivalry discuss to at the present time. It’s one thing the place youngsters develop up desirous to play in that rivalry,” Leahy mentioned.
Carson Procee is a kind of youngsters that grew up desirous to play within the matchup.
“The LCI-Raymond rivalry has been round for who is aware of how lengthy,” Procee mentioned.
“I bear in mind ever since I’ve been taking part in soccer, going to the LCI and Raymond video games twice yearly, and there’s all the time an excellent power within the crowd.”
After his Grade 11 season was halted attributable to COVID-19, Procee mentioned this season has felt additional particular.
“This 12 months, we have been excited to get again at it and actually, my expectations have been blown away by this staff,” he mentioned.
“I give it some thought on a regular basis. You understand, like, that is the final 12 months I’m going to come back out right here with these guys and put on a Rams uniform, and it positively provides a little bit of stress.”
The Rams and Comets met earlier within the season, with LCI popping out on high of the 28-7 recreation in September. However Leahy mentioned the slate has been cleaned as his staff prepares for the Comets.
“It was a terrific recreation the primary time round, and if there’s one factor we learn about Raymond — 12 months in, 12 months out — it’s that they’ve improbable athletes and so they’re all the time extraordinarily well-coached,” Leahy mentioned.
“We don’t take anyone frivolously. For us, each week we’re again to 0-0.”
The Comets imagine they’re higher ready to face the Rams this time round.
“You understand, we’re a very younger staff, and we began like a younger staff,” Baker mentioned. “We began slightly gradual. We pieced issues collectively. We made some adjustments with some key positions and issues, and the blokes are beginning to step up.
“After some expertise, you discover out, actually, what you’re manufactured from.”
Keston Henry mentioned he and his Comets teammates imagine they’ll put up a greater battle on Friday evening.
“There’s an enormous rivalry there — it’s all the time been there,” Henry mentioned. “We’ve been working exhausting this 12 months.
“We performed them as soon as (and) didn’t get the result that we wished, however we’re hoping for a unique one.”
Kickoff for Friday’s recreation is ready for 7 p.m. on the College of Lethbridge Stadium.
Following this weekend’s outcomes, an Alberta Faculties’ Athletic Affiliation (ASAA) rating committee will put out its remaining checklist of the season, with the highest 4 faculties within the province to face off for the brand new Brian Fryer Cup — a brand new higher degree provincial championship — and the subsequent eight to battle in conventional Tier I provincials.
LCI has been ranked as excessive as second within the province this season, behind simply Edmonton’s Harry Ainlay Excessive Faculty, who have been the Rams’ lone lack of the season.
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