Alberta Athlete Spotlight: Week 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this article, we're taking a look at some of the top high school football players in Canada.<br>This new <em>Athlete Spotlight Canada</em> series will feature the top five highlight players of the week. For part one of the series, we're starting quite locally for me, focusing on five amazing spotlight players, four of whom reside in Alberta. Let's dive in!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Lucas Lindley - Calgary, Alberta</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lucas Lindley is a force to be reckoned with. Standing at 6'4" and 291 lbs, and playing Offensive Guard, he's someone you definitely want on your starting line. Entering his Grade 11 season, he is expected to dominate and only improve for his senior year. Lucas described himself as a “[strong] downhill run blocker,” and after watching him at the inaugural All-Canadian Classic in June, it's clear he displayed a dominant performance in both the run and pass game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Starting on the Varsity team in Grade 10, Lucas's goal this year is to earn the title of Team Captain and be named Lineman of the Year for Bowness High School.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His play style is undeniably impressive, and he's poised to become an exceptional player at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16750689/65456f805b3e12096c3753e7' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ern","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66df188f7d721"} /--> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1363836' first='Suchir' last='Sahni'] - Edmonton, Alberta</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1363836' first='Suchir' last='Sahni'] is a true trench warrior. This 6'1", 222-lb athlete can play any position in the trenches—O-Tackle, O-Guard, Center, D-Tackle, D-End—you name it, he can do it!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Suchir plays with aggressive intensity, but pairs it with sound fundamentals to create an outstanding playstyle. A versatile, smart, and fierce competitor, we asked Suchir about his season goals, and he said: “As a team, I want to win the championship. Individually, I aim to allow zero sacks and help my team achieve the best running game in our division.” Playing at Lillian Osborne for his Grade 11 season, we can't wait to see what Suchir brings to the field!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13439777/665e49cea2153f76599b2e35' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66df188f7d75e"} /--> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1202118' first='Owen' last='Sletten'] - Swift Current, Saskatchewan</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1202118' first='Owen' last='Sletten'] is an impressive athlete, standing 6'0" and 165 lbs, and he's looking forward to another stellar season at QB. Best described as a playmaker, he'll make things happen no matter the circumstances. Owen agrees with this assessment, as he told us, “I'm an athlete, not just a QB—I go out there and make things happen.” With his arm strength and football IQ, Owen is set to accomplish great things at the quarterback position for years to come.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His current goals are to keep improving as a QB and get on every coach's radar across the country.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're excited to see what he'll achieve this year!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/slettenowen/status/1672801249937219585">https://twitter.com/slettenowen/status/1672801249937219585</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1269304' first='Teagan' last='Pawliuk'] - Sherwood Park, Alberta</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1269304' first='Teagan' last='Pawliuk'] is preparing for his senior season at Bev Facey High School.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This 6'2", 180-lb WR/S is determined to repeat his past success by winning Defensive MVP and earning a League All-Star title again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Teagan is a standout athlete that every coach should be watching. He describes himself as fast, physical, hard-hitting, and determined, and I couldn't agree more. Watching him in last year's provincial quarter-final against Ernest Manning, it's clear he's a baller.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coaches searching for a hard-working athlete—look no further.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17743732/65a9b842f55f8b15a807ed29' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66df188f7d787"} /--> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Jaxon Fraser - Morinville, Alberta</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last but definitely not least, we have Jaxon Fraser. This kid stands at 6'7", 320 lbs, and he's only entering Grade 9!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I had the honor of watching him in the inaugural All-Canadian Classic, and let me tell you, this kid can play! He's capable of playing both O-Tackle and O-Guard. During the Classic, he was moving kids 2-3 years older than him with ease, and he's determined to keep improving.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One area Jaxon wants to focus on is quickening his footwork, allowing him to move faster and drive further downfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's a strong, coachable player with a high football IQ.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coaches looking for a young prospect—keep an eye on Jaxon. With his steady improvement, he's set to become a standout lineman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thank you so much for reading! Be sure to check back next week for Part 2!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->