The H.J. Cody Lakers are busy preparing for the start of the upcoming high school football season.
However, this year, due to the home field location at Ecole H.J. Cody High School being decimated by the drought, the team won't be able to play there, head coach Jeremy Braitenback said.
"The field at this point is unplayable."
Instead, home games for the team this year will either be played in Lacombe at the M. E. Global Field or in Red Deer at Setters Place.
"We are hoping that our Sept. 27 and Oct. 18 games may be able to be played in Sylvan Lake if conditions improve, however, it is looking like we will have to play all of our home games in Red Deer and Lacombe," Braitenback said.
To prepare for the season, the team did two weeks of practice in May and have been practicing since Aug. 19.
"Many players have been working out and attending football camps to prepare for the season," Braitenback said.
As for the team itself this year, there are 40 players on the roster, with 20 of the players in Grade 12.
If community members would like to support the team this year, there are many ways to do that, he added.
"Check out our schedule and come to the games to cheer on the Lakers. Also support Football by buying Sylvan Lake Minor Football (SLMF) discount cards this September."
