The Estevan Comprehensive School Elecs football team was within one minute of their first win since the program’s rebirth last year, but they wound up dropping a 15-10 decision to the Moose Jaw Central Cyclones in the Elecs’ season-opener.

Estevan took an early 7-0 lead on a rushing touchdown by Justis Grimsrud. They added a field goal in the second quarter for a 10-0 lead at half-time.

“We came out sharp,” said coach Marco Ricci. “We didn't have an exhibition game. Central ended up playing Weyburn in an exhibition game.”

Moose Jaw narrowed the deficit to 10-6 in the third quarter. The margin held up until late in the fourth quarter. Estevan conceded a safety to make the score 10-8.

Moose Jaw returned the ensuing kick-off to Estevan’s 45-yard line. The Cyclones then needed just three plays to score the winning touchdown with less than a minute remaining.

“We need to play a full 60 minutes; that's probably the biggest lesson,” said Ricci. “It was very frustrating for Moose Jaw to come back with 30 seconds left and steal a win from us. Our guys played extremely well, played really hard and deserved to win.”

Ricci vowed after the game that the Elecs would win a game this season.