Lauded Lightning

Lightning standout looking to get name out to recruiters.

Last season, Hunting Hills Lightning lineman Travis Derksen experienced a first yet amazing experience.

Travis Derksen

Positions:
Offensive Line

Height/Weight:
6’0, 230 lbs

Teams:
Hunting Hills Lightning (high school: ASAA)
Central Alberta Prairie Fire (midget)
Red Deer Jr. Lightning (bantam)
Red Deer Hornets (peewee)
Coke Crunch (atom)

Commitment:
None

Official Visits:
None

Consideration:
Open

Class:
2016

Throughout his minor football years, Travis Derksen raked in numerous awards and accolades.

In his first year of peewee with the Red Deer Hornets, he was named Defensive Lineman of the Year, and he was the team’s MVP with Lease Recognition for his second season.

Travis then played two years of bantam with the Red Deer Jr. Lightning, and was a league All-Star both years. By that time, he was focusing on the offensive rather than defensive line, and was named the Offensive Lineman of the Year in his first bantam season. In his second bantam season, Travis was given the Stacy Larsen Memorial Award.

“It is presented to the player who inspired others by demonstrating leadership, respect, tolerance and confidence through strength of character, courage and sheer love of the game,” Travis explains.

Last fall, Travis began his rookie season with the Hunting Hills Lightning of the Alberta Schools Athletic Association (ASAA). The Lightning won the Central Alberta League Championship last season.

”It was amazing,” Travis says of the experience. “It was my first championship and I feel that it was long overdue.”

The Lightning went on to try for the Provincial Championship, and Travis says his first and only provincial playoff game was particularly memorable despite the fact that the Lightning lost to the Okotoks Falcons, who were undefeated at the time.

“We played well and only lost by five points to a team who usually wins by a margin of 30 or more,” Travis says.

Travis has also played two years of midget with the Central Alberta Prairie Fire.

“What I enjoyed most about it was that it prepared me for my first year of high school football,” Travis says. “Also, it allowed me to see where I am at individually against other elite players in Calgary.”

Travis is now getting ready to head back to Hunting Hills for his grade 11 year.

While he hasn’t really started considering universities yet, he says playing for the Lightning has been helpful in raising his profile.

“By far the best part is that my coach has been extremely helpful in getting my name out to the universities and helping me get the opportunities to get scouts to see me,” Travis says.

Football has been the focus of Travis’ life for the past seven years, and he intends to keep it that way as he finishes his high school years and looks forward to university.