Cougars end building block season after move to 11-man

The Canadian football team, the Cougars, concluded their building block season after transitioning to an 11-man format. Although they did not qualify for the playoffs, this inaugural year of playing 11-man proved to be a valuable learning experience for the team as they embarked on a new offensive system called Slot-T. The Cougars finished the season with a 2-8 record, marking their highest number of wins in a season since 2020.

Their first victory came in Week 3 when they defeated Mounds 19-8, demonstrating their ability to adapt to the new rules and regulations of the 11-man format. However, they struggled in subsequent games, losing to Gore 33-8 and Afton 34-34 in overtime. Despite these setbacks, head coach Kathen Funburg praised the team's resilience, stating that the players learned how to compete and finish the entire four quarters.

The Cougars secured their second win of the year in Week 6 against Allen, marking their best record in six years. A senior leader, Dustin Storm, played a significant role in the team's success and will be missed as the program moves forward without his leadership qualities. The transition to 11-man proved to be a transition year for the Cougars as they implemented a new offensive system.

Funburg emphasized the importance of having more toughness to compete against tougher opponents, and hopes that addressing this aspect during the offseason could lead to improved performance in the following season.