After a seesaw season last year, the Calgary Colts are determined to return to the playoffs of the Prairie Football Conference of the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL).

The Colts open their season at home this Sunday, Aug. 19, 1 p.m., at McMahon Stadium against the Edmonton Huskies.

The team continues to be one of the destinations for Cochrane high schools alumni. That includes starting tailback Brad Hillier, of the Bow Valley Bobcats, who appeared in two games last year after a solid high school career and appearance in the 2016 Senior Bowl.

The Colts also signed a trio of Cochrane Cobras in the off-season--linebacker William Eilers, lineman Cody Pickering and receiver Daniel de Bruin.

The Colts are heading into the opener without an exhibition game under their belt after a match against Edmonton Wildcats was cancelled and are looking forward to the full meal deal after a couple of mock games.

"We're young," says new head coach Tim Kearse. "Some people tell you young is a weakness, but I'm going to say being young is a strength for the simple fact that the guys don't know any better. So it's up to us as coaches to be very organized and put these young guys in good positions."

St. Francis Brown and Calgary Dinos alumni Cole Belway is the new starter quarterback and Kearse likes what he sees.

"We're very confident in what Cole brings to the table," says Kearse.

He also speaks highly of the potential of the new Cochrane recruits.

"Daniel is pushing and Will is finding himself and he may get the opportunity to play some special teams on the weekend."

There are veterans in front of them, but Kearse is confident they'll have an opportunity to contribute.

Three of the Colts four home games come early in the season against the two Edmonton teams and Saskatoon. Then it's three games on the road before finishing the regular season at home against the Regina Thunder on Oct. 14.

The Canadian Junior Football League is formed of three conferences and the Saskatoon Hilltops, of the Prairie division, remain the #1 ranked team. The Colts get to test their mettle against the Hilltops in week two on the road before the Sept. 15 rematch at McMahon. Dubbed a Community Homecoming Game, its a special evening that features a tailgate barbecue and halftime salute to the 1989 and 1990 Colts national championship teams, recently inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame.

Kearse is no stranger to the CJFL or CFL  He was an assistant on the Colts staff last year and took over the reins in September after the sudden departure of Matthew 'Snoop' Blokker. He was the head coach of the Westshore Rebels in 2013 and was their offensive coordinator from 1998-2000.

Most of his professional career as a receiver was spent with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He was originally drafted by the San Diego Chargers of the NFL and was on the roster for both the Indianapolis Colts and Detroit Lions. It was followed by an 11-year coaching career in the CFL.