Having to watch one of their teammates carted off into an ambulance and depart for the hospital, the Swift Current Colts found a way to overcome an emotional roller coaster Thursday night to improve to 2-0 on the 2016 season.

A gruesome injury to the leg of Colts' Receiver Reagan Martin quickly left an excited crowd at Colts Field, shocked and horrified.

"You could see that it was really bad, so they were worried about their buddy but we just quickly got going and said us worrying and all of that stuff is not going to do anything for him, we just have to go out and play," Colts Head Coach Derek Murdoch said about his team's response to Martin's injury.

"It's that cliche  to just go get a win but there really is not much else you can do, so the boys did a good job."

A few hours later, the Colts were able to, at least momentarily, celebrate a 23-20 victory over the Moose Jaw Vanier Vikings.

"We won for Reagan," said Colts Running Back Tristian Lockman.

"He was super excited. He gave up his sport [volleyball] for football, so he wanted to be out here and play. He will be good, sounds like he is alright."

Once play resumed following approximately a 20 minute break so Martin could be attended to, Vaneir's Tyler Lorenz intercepted an Emmitt Guider pass and returned it all the way to the Swift Current one-yard line.

However, the Swift Current defense quickly flipped momentum back in their favour.

Three straight stops on the Swift Current goal line forced a turnover on downs and help Vanier off the board.

"We have that tough start, we are not good offensively and then Reagan gets hurt and all of a sudden it is first and goal on the one but three big plays bailed us out," Murdoch said.

"After that, we get out of the shadows of our goal post and out to midfield. That was a huge swing. Our defense was good all night."

The Colts later drew first blood, when Lockman found his way into the end zone from six-yards out.

The major was the first of three for the Colts Running Back.

Later in the game, Lockamn added touchdown runs of one-yard and then 33-yards.

"I definitely gave it my all out there and did everything I possibly can, no matter what, but it is definitely a team effort, for sure. Everyone did their part," Lockman said following the game.

With the Colts leading 22-6 in the fourth quarter, the Viking would not go quietly, scoring a pair of touchdowns, trimming the lead to 23-20 in the final minute.

On the ensuing kick-off, Vanier successfully recovered an on-side kick to give the Vikings one last opportunity.

However, on a 3rd and 10 play, Vanier came up a yard short of a first down, turning the ball over on downs and allowing the Colts to kneel out the clock under the lights.

"We talk about greasy road wins and that was maybe a greasy home win," Murdoch said.

"We were not firing the way we were last week obviously. Our defense played really well, but too many penalties and just a lot of crazy stuff going on. A tough start with Reagan on the first series. You try to battle through that but the guys were rattled because it was pretty bad situation. It is a win and we are 2-0 and that's what we were shooting for."

The 2-0 Colts will now prepare for arguably the toughest match-up of their season as they prepare to take on the four-time defending league champion Moose Jaw AE Peacock Tornados.

Swift Current will travel to Moose Jaw on September 24 for their date with the Tornadoes.