IRSC Bisons Begin to Take Shape During Spring Football Camp
The Iron Ridge Secondary Bisons won’t play their first game until fall, but the foundation for the program’s inaugural season is already being laid.
More than 30 players suited up for spring football camp May 23-25, the school’s first since announcing its entry into league play this coming September. While spring sports meant numbers were slightly down from registration totals, athletic director and head coach Joe McQuay said the camp met its main goals.
“We had over 30 sets of pads handed out, and we’ve got about 45 signed up overall, so that’s a healthy number for a first-year program,” said McQuay. “We leaned on some of our more experienced guys from Lacombe, but there was a lot of learning for everyone—and a lot of energy.”
The camp focused on safety, position fundamentals, and building the team’s offensive and defensive systems. For many of the athletes, this was their first taste of full-contact football.
“We taught Safe Contact—how to safely hit, how to safely get hit,” said McQuay. “There was lots of competition, lots of teaching. You could tell this was a missing piece in the school and the community.”
Iron Ridge will open its fall training camp on Aug.18, with the first game scheduled for Sept.4 against Lindsay Thurber at Great Chief Park in Red Deer. Until then, the team will continue weight training and conditioning on campus.
The Bisons will join a competitive league that includes programs from Lacombe, Notre Dame, Hunting Hills, Lindsay Thurber, Camrose, Stettler and Sylvan Lake. The school will field a full 12-a-side team.
“This spring was critical. It’s why we didn’t start a team right away,” McQuay said. “You need this time to get organized, build systems and set expectations.”
The community has responded. McQuay said he’s hearing from families with younger students already excited for the program to be in place when they reach high school.
“Parents of Grade 7 students are telling us they’re pumped. They’re watching this thing take shape and they want to be part of it,” he said. “That’s the best part—it’s not just about now. It’s about what this does for the future.”
The team will play road games this fall while construction continues on its home field this season.
McQuay, who also serves as commissioner of the league, said the addition of Iron Ridge is being welcomed across the board.