BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
The high school football gridiron wars are
ready to explode.
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The eight-team league kicks off regular
season play tonight with an action-packed tilt between St.
Benedict and last year's city champions Lockerby at 4
pm.
The other teams start play on Thursday
(Sudbury Secondary versus Notre-Dame, 4 pm), and Friday,
(Lasalle versus St. Charles, 1:30 pm, and Confederation versus
Lo-Ellen, 7 pm).
Here's a sneak peek at all eight teams
and what they hope to achieve in 2005.
Lockerby Vikings
2004 record: 4-1. Playoffs: Won city
championship.
The Vikings promise to have another
dominating season, thanks in large part to a big, burly defence
corps that boasts some of the best defensive players in the
league. Lockerby will also sting teams with a strong offensive
squad that can score at any time.
Key offensive players: quarterback Brett
McKnight. Good leader with ability to hurt teams with his
passing, running and receiving skills.
Running back Neil Petrin. Tough-as-nails
competitor with speed and great hands.
Safety Jason St. Jean. Quick and
powerful.
On the defence: Jason Cecchini, Kevin Garbuio
and Ben Quinn. These three monsters ate up the competition in
the Ontario Varsity league this past summer, and will do the
same this year due to their size, smarts and strength.
Â"We are out to prove last season was no
fluke,Â" said coach Geoff Richer. Â"We were and are the best
team out there. Our goal is to win another city championship
and a NOSSA championship.Â"
St. Charles Cardinals
2004 record: 5-0. Playoffs: Lost in first
round.
The Cardinals enter a rebuilding phase, but
teams can still expect the old traditional snarl from St.
Charles.
Key offensive players: RB Nic Charlemagne.
Very fast and athletic. Offensive tackle Justin Dupuis. Mammoth
of a man, stands 6-6 and weighs 280 pounds, very strong and
good blocker. Quarterback Steve Comisso. Experienced and
versatile pivot.
Defence: Justin Kramer. Solid and brings
knowledge. Defensive half Matt Dumont. Excellent cover guy. LB
John Lashuk. Great potential.
Â"We want to get better each game and make
the playoffs,Â" said coach Mike Fabiilli. Â"We will be
competitive and play tough.Â"
Confederation Chargers
2004 record: 3-2. Playoffs: Lost in semi
finals.
With a host of returning veterans at key
positions, Confederation will be looking to lay waste to the
competition. Fans can expect to see a high-octane offence that
leaves teams shaking their heads.
Key offensive players: QB Shane Hutchinson.
Arguably one of the best in the league. RB Mike Switzer.
Veteran finds holes and exploits them. Offensive guard Kevin
Oldfield. Has two years of Sudbury Spartan experience under his
belt.
On Defence. Defensive ends Tom Kirkpatrick
and Scott Zimmerman and LB Mike Willcox. All seniors who attack
hard.
Â"We would like to make the Top-four and get
to the city championship,Â" said coach Brandon Dougan. Â"We are
senior heavy and can run and throw the ball.Â"
Notre-Dame Alouettes
2004 record: 2-3. Playoffs: Lost city
championship.
After last year's run to the city final,
Notre -Dame will have to work extra hard to get back because
nine starters have graduated.
Key offensive players: QB Marc Godin, wide
receiver Jason Tomac and offensive guard Eric Breau. Their
leadership will be invaluable to a young squad.
Defence: Defensive back Robert Godin,
Defensive tackle Simone Lapierre and LB Frank Desmaris. They
will be the glue that holds the defence together.
Â"We're a young, small team,Â" said coach
Paul Gauthier. Â"We will be in tough, but hopefully our defence
will come up with some big games for us until the offence
develops.Â"
Lo-Ellen Knights
2004 record:2-3. Playoffs: lost in finals of
Tier II final.
The Knights expect to challenge teams this
year with a run-and-gun offence and have the weapons to blast
opposing team's defences.
Key offensive players: Full back Kyle Cooper.
Brings power and speed. Tail back Chris Cull. Has speed and
vision. Offensive linesman Brad Zdyb. Brings leadership.
Defence: Defensive lineman John Burke and LB
Jeff Conrad. Combo adds size, speed and aggressiveness.
Â"This team is young and should be a
contender for years,Â" said coach Kevin Ellsworth. Â"Our goal
is to be in the Top-four, in the hunt for the
championship.Â"
Lasalle Lancers
2004 record: 2-3. Playoffs: Won Tier II
championship.
Lasalle lacks overall size in 2005, but will
make up for it with speed and athleticism.
Key offensive players: RB's Daice
Fontaine and Andrew Pincinetti and wide receiver Derrick Weiss.
All three have offensive prowess. Defence: Troy Bertrand, Lucas
Faganelli and Jovica Milidanovic. All three are expected to set
the example and lead.
Â"Our goal is to make the jump from the B
division to the A division and let the chips fall where they
may in the playoffs,Â" said coach Paul Schutt.
St. Benedict Bears
2004 record: 1-4. Playoffs: Lost in Tier II
playoffs.
With plenty of veteran help returning, the
Bears hope to leap out of the B pool and make the A
playoffs.
Key offensive players: QB Andrew Kirkwood.
Features impressive talents. Tail back Shane MacIntyre and OL
Jonathan Mikus. Both boast skill and desire.
Defence: Bears' captain Mike Bartolucci.
Leader and all-star. LB Camille Beaudoin and defensive end
Devon Purvis. Both offer leadership and strong play.
Â"This team is out to prove they are good
enough to be in the A division playoffs,Â" said coach Frank
Rocca. Â"Once in the playoffs, anything can happen.Â"
Sudbury Secondary North
Stars
2004 record: 1-4. Playoffs: Lost in Tier II
semi final.
The North Stars will look to live up to their
potential and surprise a few teams along the way with a good
group of returning third-year players.
Key offensive and defensive players: QB Aaron
Rothney. Great mobility and anticipation. LB and RB Kyle Moore.
Relentless, quick and tough. RB and defensive end Dustin
Crowder. Has good speed, size and instincts. Lineman Austin
Roy. Great package of quickness, strength and
determination.
Â"We want to prove we can compete with any
given team,Â" said coach Dave St. Amour. Â"Our goal is to be
competitive in each game.Â"
