Meadow Lake Spartans finish tough season with growing confidence in their future

In Delisle, Ethier had urged players to concentrate on each play rather than the scoreboard, giving their best effort before resetting for the next one.

“They weren’t happy with the result, but they were proud of their efforts, which is all we can ask of the kids,” he said.

The Meadow Lake Spartans after their season finale against the Delisle Rebels at Delisle Composite High School on Oct. 16, 2026. (Image Credit: Coleton Ethier)

Grade 10 quarterback and captain Kayl Solsten saw the team’s development from behind an offensive line that struggled to make its blocks early in the season.

“But as the year progressed, the boys figured it out and I had time to throw the ball or do what I needed to do instead of just being rushed and panicked,” Solsten said.

He remembers the game against the Kindersley Cobras as a moment when things began to click across the team. The offence was moving the ball and the defence was making stops.

Receiver Cameron Bell became someone Solsten could count on to gain yards when the team needed a first down.

That trust extended beyond individual plays. Solsten said teammates helped one another through mistakes and celebrated when someone did well.

“So no one felt the pressure of, oh, if I make a mistake, everyone’s going to hate me. So that helped them be confident.”

As captain, Solsten said teammates turn to him for advice or help.

“And if I try my hardest, other people seem to notice that, pick up the pace and then everybody starts going.”

The experience gap remained substantial. Solsten said most teammates were in their first or second year of football, sometimes facing opponents who had played for nearly eight years. He considered being able to make plays against those teams an important step.

(Image Credit: Carpenter High School/Facebook – Just Enjoy Photography)

The Carpenter High School Spartans (orange and black) take on the Kindersley Kobras at Lions Park in Meadow Lake on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. (Image Credit: submitted/Kayl Solsten)

Ethier also saw players becoming better at recognizing what opponents were doing and understanding where they needed to be. He described the season as successful because every player had improved, even when that development included setbacks.

“Now, it wasn’t linear growth. There was times when we took steps back, but that’s the way life goes,” he said.

Solsten pointed to focus during practices and games. Players sometimes missed assignments or ended up out of position, he said, leading to stopped drives or opposing touchdowns.

Ethier wants the interest in offseason training to translate into better conditioning. This fall, he said, getting players into shape took time away from teaching football.

He encouraged players to take up wrestling and rugby, which he said develop skills they can also use on the football field.

Much of that work will fall to a familiar group. Ethier said current Grade 11 students make up roughly half the team, while only four players who stayed through the season are graduating. Some returning players will be entering their third year of football.

“So I’m thinking next year we’ll start to see some closer matchups with the teams in our conference,” he said.

Solsten wants to build strength so he can handle whatever his coach needs him to do next season.

“What kept me going is just my love for the game and knowing that someday the Carpenter High School football program will be great again,” he said.

Solsten also credited receivers Grant Fillion and Mason Rodrigue for being in position and making catches. Ethier highlighted Fillion’s tackling in the finale and running back Eli Capell’s late touchdown.

READ MORE:

GAME 1: ‘Iron sharpens iron’: Spartans find progress despite 71-0 loss to start season
GAME 2: Spartans hold firm early before Humboldt pulls away for 62-0 win
GAME 3: Spartans break through for first touchdowns of season in loss to North Battleford
GAME 4: Spartans offence breaks through in 74-14 loss to Kindersley
GAME 5: Spartans aim to end season on high note after best offensive showing

—

Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com

by Kenneth Cheung

Meadow Lake Spartans finish tough season with growing confidence in their future

What's Trending