1970 Riverside Rams Football – Team
The 1970 Riverside Rams Football Team was the first Prince Albert collegiate 12-man football team to win a Saskatchewan title.
The provincial championship capped a run of four straight city championships for the Riverside Rams – 1967, 1968, 1969, and 1970.
The Riverside teams, in the preceding years, were sprinkled with excellent athletes that attained provincial and national prominence after their high school careers at the university and professional sporting levels. Names such as Rick Wilson and Barry Mudry come to mind in reviewing teams from the four-year run. The provincial crown eluded those earlier teams, despite strong efforts from year to year.
One noteworthy aspect of the 1970 championship team is that there were no individual outstanding star athletes. The team’s success was attained by virtue of a strong and united effort through the entire year, and a work ethic that was pervasive throughout the entire team.
The coaching staff, Bill Watson, Howard Gange, Bob Reed and Bob Smisko, inspired a level of loyalty and commitment on the field and that was generated by their example of hard work, commitment, and dedication.
In the years that have passed since the championship was attained, many of the players still sustain close personal relationships with the outstanding gentlemen who continued through to their respective retirements, and beyond, to contribute significantly to their profession, their communities, and the athletes they so successfully coached.
The 1970 season saw the Rams clinch the league championship by defeating the St. Mary Marauders 26-12. Quarterback, Rod Young, led the Riverside attack with two majors while
Wayne Hansen and Alan Logue each had one. Bob Daniels converted two of the four touchdowns.
The Riverside Rams met St. Mary Marauders in the Prince Albert High School Championship for the fourth consecutive year on Tuesday, October 27, 1970 where they defeated St. Mary 17-0 to advance to the Northern 3A final against North Battleford Composite High School. In the City Championship, Alan Logue scored both majors and two safety touches accounted for the other four points. Bob Daniels was good on one of two converts.
The Rams advanced and defeated North Battleford Composite Mustangs 37-19 in the Northern 3A final. Rams touchdowns were scored by Mike Furi, Alan Logue, Rod Young, Wayne Hansen with two, and Tom Andrews. Bob Daniels converted one touchdown.
The win advanced the Riverside Rams to the Provincial High School Football Championship against Notre Dame College of Wilcox. Riverside was considered the underdog in the Saskatchewan final, but that did not deter the Rams. They defeated the Notre Dame Hounds 32-12 to capture the Saskatchewan High School 3A Football Championship. Alan Logue paced the Rams with three majors while Doug Klarenback and Wayne Hansen scored one each. Bob Daniels was good on one of five converts and Tony Basaraba booted a single point.
The northern title and the provincial crown were the first ever by a Prince Albert team. The team was captained by Gary Laing, Don Friske, Tony Basaraba and Rod Young.
