Highland Wildcats look to seal best record in the UK in final American football tournament of regular 2023 season in Edinburgh ahead of play-off charge
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Highland Wildcats could be forgiven for being used to success, but even by their high standards 2023 has been a remarkable year.
Six wins out of six so far, coupled with scoring close to 300 points, has earned them the best record of any under-16 American football team in the UK.
A new-look play-off system this year might make it more difficult for the Wildcats to become UK champions, but they have at least already secured their place in the first play-off tournament at Chorley, pitting the best of the northern teams against each other.
“It has been absolutely phenomenal," new head coach for 2023 Ben Senior said.
“The guys have really, really stepped up.
“We had a strong core of players to move forward with after last year. It’s still quite a small squad, but they’ve lifted each other up and played with great tenacity all year long.
“They really motivate each other, and the coaching staff has been brilliant in putting together the right programmes to make them successful.
“On paper we’re the best team in the country.
“It’s very difficult to judge how we’ll do when we go down south though, because we just don’t know what the strength is of other leagues.
“We’re preparing well for that this year with extra sessions and more strength and conditioning, so hopefully we’ll peak at the right time.”
Plenty of work goes into video reviews and scouting behind the scenes to have the Wildcats on peak form, but before they go into the play-offs they have two last games in Scotland to take care of this weekend.
"We're travelling to Edinburgh to play the final two games against East Kilbride Pirates and the Edinburgh Napier Knights, who are probably our biggest competition," Senior reasoned.
“We always want to win – I’d never say to any of our kids that we’re going to take it easy.
“The likelihood is that we will rest guys a bit more and rotate more quickly.
“That gives a lot of our younger guys and development guys the chance to get some good quality game time, because that’s where they learn the most.
“I always say that the current group is the best group that I’ve got! The stats seem to suggest that this year too.
“As a coach, you learn new things every year, and the game is constantly evolving to make it more competitive and safer at the same time.
“We’re constantly evolving the way that we teach tackling, the way that we try and score points and the way we defend.
“As that changes, the quality that you can get out of the players increases every year.
“As long as the coaches are committed – as they are now – to evolving with the sport, we’re always going to be a competitive unit.”
While performances have progressed fairly smoothly on the pitch this year, there has been an adjustment period off it for Senior.
Although he has been involved in American football for around two decades, this is his first year as a head coach – and as such 2023 has been an eye-opening experience.
“It’s been very stressful – very different!" he added.
“I’ve been co-ordinators before and second in command, but I’ve never had the extra pressures of being the head coach.
“There’s a lot more organising to be done and slightly less coaching – I tend to leave that to the guys on the ground with the players.
“I’ve loved every second. The committee has been incredible supportive, and the organisation is like a family to me.
“When I first came into the Wildcats, I had no idea how to play and I didn’t know anyone there, but they welcomed me in and made me feel great.
“I see that in everyone, whether they be athletes or volunteers – they come in and look a bit nervous the first time, but within a few minutes they’re chatting and laughing and it’s a great atmosphere.
“The biggest thing for me is to make sure we continue that.
“American football is the fastest growing sport in the UK at the moment, so it’s a really exciting time to be involved.”
