Vikings take top ranking in football predictions

So just how much weight does the “defending champion” title carry when it comes to Sudbury and area high school football? Apparently not enough to sway this columnist.

Despite returning the bulk of their 2009 roster, I predict the Collège Notre-Dame Alouettes will finish in a tie for second place, deadlocked with the Confederation Chargers and just one game back of the Lockerby Vikings.

Following is a breakdown for all nine Sudbury District Secondary Schools Athletic Association (SDSSAA) football teams, along with their predicted regular season records once the dust settles on Oct. 29.

Lockerby Vikings (6-0)

No team returns as many key players in skilled offensive position as do the Vikings. Add the fact that the roster remains among the deepest in the league, both sides of the line will be solid and the team should be hungry for its first championship title since 2005.

Lyndon Moorehouse is back at quarterback, guiding an offensive that features elusive tailback Nick Guerin, receiver Mark Verrilli and a host of others.

All-star lineman Duncan Bonnah is back and will likely see action on both sides of the ball, anchoring a line that combines size and speed. The Vikings take their biggest hit in the linebacking corps, but coach Harley Laalo is confident the athletic newcomers can more than hold their own.

Notre-Dame Alouettes (5-1)

There may not be another quarterback around the league who enters the fall season with as much confidence as Dan Poirier, fresh off a solid summer season with the Sudbury Gladiators.

The 2009 playoff hero, Alex Carriere, moves into the backfield, although his strong leg is always a threat — just ask St. Charles and Confederation. Coach Paul Gauthier consistently manages to get the Als rolling like a finely-tuned motor and with veterans Trevor Barbeau, Mathieu Gagnon, Kennedy Voz and Jordan Mackenzie at his disposal, the coach and team should not take much time at all to hit mid-season form.

The only drawback, as I see it, comes from the fact that as defending league champs, everyone will be gunning for the Alouettes.

Confederation Chargers (5-1)

The top-end talent at Confederation ranks among the best in the league. Based on past practice, expect coach Brandon Dougan to utilize returning Chargers Trevor Gudrie, Taylor Fish, Lance Kitchineg and others to their maximum potential.

This means Confederation could see a good handful of players finding themselves playing both on offense and defense. While their ability to hold up through the entire season will be key for the Chargers, so will the transition that new QB Ethan Gorman makes with a set of very talented receivers.

Scott Beaton appears ready to follow in the footsteps of pass catchers Matt Mott and Jacob May, which could spell trouble for opposing defensive backs.

St Benedict Bears (4-2)

Not that we’ve ever heard this before, but the Bears boast likely the best offensive line in the league. The troika of Carter Long, Erik Lessard and Emilio Frometta will open some holes, a good thing considering the fact that the backfield does not feature a great deal of high-school football experience.

Still, if the sibling running back tandem of Christian and Alex Battistelli can prove themselves quick studies, and if either Troy Moutsatsos or Marco Presot can challenge some of the league’s best pivots, then St. Benedict could surprise.

Coach Frank Rocca is working with a defensive unit that has largely been overhauled, although linebacker Conor Sullivan has shown well in the early going, and Emerson Carniels returns to anchor the secondary.

Lasalle Lancers (3-3)

Easily the most difficult team to read, the Lancers field a team filled with noteworthy athletes, not all of which have played football extensively. Add to this the fact that Lasalle opens their season with potentially four “winnable” games and one might have the makings of a season to rekindle the memory of teams gone by.

Josh Cuomo might be the single most impactful player in the league, especially if coach Mike Derks opts to use him at both running back and linebacker. Mix in the veteran presence of Cody Lemieux, Calvin Hinds, John Kosiw, Albert Skippen, as well as the impact that dominant Joe Mac running back Kenneth Bottrell might have, and you have the makings of a team that could battle for first-round playoff home field advantage.

Lo-Ellen Park Knights (2-4)

Not a familiar place for coach Kevin Ellsworth and the Knights, but the reality is that this is a very young team with a handful of highly skilled veterans mixed in.

If the kids mature quickly, watch out. Ryan Rysdale returns at quarterback and Jessy Bertin-Haggart provides an absolute workhorse in the backfield. Chris Czaja provides leadership on the offensive line, while Doug Bennett and Ian Thomson provide a nice 1-2 punch on the defensive side of the equation.

Give the Knights one more year with the youngsters learning the ropes and Lo-Ellen should return to their familiar role of league powerhouse.

St. Charles Cardinals (1-5)

No team was hit harder by graduating players than the Cardinals. In fact, only running back Jordan Lajeunesse remains from any of the 15 players on offense or defense that were highlighted by coach Mike Fabiilli in the pre-season last year.

Still, the veteran football man always seems to find a way to put together a decent defensive unit, allowing the Cardinals to stay in most games throughout the year.

Lively Hawks (1-5)

The good news at Lively District Secondary is that the numbers out for Hawks football have never been better. The challenge lies in the fact that this group is based largely on Grade 11 and younger talent.

New quarterback Milo Gaudin is a case in point, along with junior-aged running back Scott Friesen. Matt Sawdon provides an experienced receiver, linemen Trevor Walli, Colin Webb and Matt Mickelson return, while Jake Punkari moves from the secondary to linebacker.

If this group can keep the faith and stay together for coach Rej Bonin, a middle of the pack placing down the road is not out of the question.

Chelmsford Flyers (0-6)
Struggling with numbers, coach Walter Wilson is hoping the passion he brings to the field each and every time will be reflected with a team that is likely to be out-manned more often than not.

Wilson will count on the likes of Pat Berthelot (QB), Jordan Green (RB), Jacob Green (WR), and Joe Eadie, Mike Bedard and Chad Methe on defense to show the way for a young, inexperienced Flyers’ crew.

Randy Pascal is the founder of SudburySports.com and a contributing sports editor for Northern Life.