The 2007 high school football season promises a wide-open season thanks to a number of teams who will challenge for the league championship.
In 2006, the St. Benedict Bears romped through the regular season, going a perfect 6-0 and followed up in the post season by claiming the city crown with a 36-13 victory over Lo-Ellen Park. Many teams featured young squads which bodes well for the 2007 season as many top stars in the league return to their respective teams to give them another strong shot at league bragging rights.
The defending champion, St. Benedict, will have their work cut out for them as they try to repeat last year. The team lost many veterans due to graduation and the teams they disposed of last year are back looking for revenge.
This season, the league is once again filled with balance and talent. Confederation, Lockerby and Lo-Ellen (all teams with records above .500 last year) are back with potent all-star players and a hunger that will only be satisfied by a city trophy held high in the air.
Notre-Dame, Lasalle and St. Charles will also be in the hunt and looking to knock some tough teams down a few pegs.
There are two big changes for 2007. First, Sudbury Secondary School is no longer in the league. The team was overwhelmed in 2006, compiling a record of 0-5-1. They will be replaced by Lively, marking the first time in 17 years Lively has entered a team in the local league. They keep the league even with eight teams, but they want to be more than just a footnote this season.
Second, the playoff format has changed. In the past, the league ran an A and B Division Championship format with the top four teams gunning for the A crown, with the bottom four going for the B title.
This year, the Top-two teams receive byes in the first round of the playoffs, while teams finishing third through sixth battle in the opening round. The winners move on to play the two top squads in the semifinals.
Here's an extended look at each team, in no particular order,
their hopes and the coaches comments.
(Team with last year's record, points for (PF) and against (PA) and playoff result.)
Confederation Chargers
5-1, second place, 180 PF, 90 PA. Lost 42-7 to Lo-Ellen in semifinals.
In 2006, Confederation put up the league's best offence (tied with St. Benedict) and cruised through the regular season. It came to a surprising and crashing halt at the hands of Lo-Ellen in the semis. The Chargers return as one of the teams to beat in 2007 thanks to some serious returning firepower on offence.
All-Star and co-offensive MVP Mike Switzer will lead the charge. The running back led the league in 2006 with 677 yards rushing. He averaged 9.2 yards per rush and gives Confederation a destructive ground game. Also returning is All-Star wide receiver Matt Mott, who hauled in 381 yards last year, which was tops in the league.
The team did lose All-Star quarterback Trevor Jessop - who led the league with 826 passing yards in 2006 - to graduation, but rookie Travis Campbell steps in to take his place. Wide receiver John Beeson (sixth in 2006 with 139 receiving yards) and running back Scott Faulkner add depth.
Confederation also returns many vets on the offensive and defensive lines, which will make them even more powerful.
Despite the embarrassment of riches, Confederation's success will rely on team play.
"This year's team has done a 180 compared to last year in attitude and work ethic," said head coach Brandon Dougan. "Our goal is to get one of the top two spots and get the bye. There's no reason we can't do it. The kids have it in them. Last year, our defence was mostly rookies, but now they have a lot more confidence."
The team expects big things from defensive players such as Chris Ristimaki, Kyle Daoust, Matt Venne, Chris Gervais and Chris Dillman.
The key for the Chargers is whether Campbell will step up and fill the void left by Jessop.
"He's up to the task," said Dougan. "If he steps up, we will be tough to beat."
Lo-Ellen Park Knights
4-2, third place, 171 PF, 105 PA. Lost 36-13 in final.
The crushing defeat suffered at the hands of St. Benedict in the city final still lingers in the locker room at Lo-Ellen. The Knights aren't dwelling on the past, but will use the loss as extra motivation this fall. Lo-Ellen will be a powerhouse again thanks to the return of offensive juggernauts Brett Walter, Kyle Cooper and Jordyn Andric.
Quarterback Walter finished second in 2006 with 801 passing yards and could easily surpass those numbers in 2007. Running back Cooper was nearly unstoppable in 2006 by rushing for 578 yards, good for third overall. Andric is the most proficient wide receiver in the local loop. In 2006, Andric caught six passes for 122 yards. He had the highest yards-per-reception of any player with 21.3.
These three players will anchor the team's offence and make or break the team.
"Our goal is to be city champions," said head coach Kevin Ellsworth. "No ifs, ands or buts. It's outstanding for us to have guys like Walter, Cooper (co-offensive MVP) and Andric...it gives the younger players someone to look up to and it aids in development."
On defence, Lo-Ellen will lean on All-Star linebacker Alex Makitalo along with Lucas Pope and Chad Kirkland.
Ellsworth does have concerns about his team's overall size.
"We're going to be the best team overall in the skilled positions, but we're not as big as other teams," said the coach. "We can't make mistakes and have to run patterns quickly and crisply."
Lockerby Vikings
4-2, fourth place, 171 PF, 75 PA. Lost 25-16 to St. Benedict in semis.
The Vikings return as the league's top defensive team for three years running. With head coach Geoff Richer still calling the shots, don't expect the defence to slip in 2007. It should be better.
Overall, the Vikings enjoy the luxury of about 90 percent of their 2006 starters returning.
The defence will be led by All-Star linebacker Kevin Stradiotti, defensive back Brad Durigon and OVFL Junior linebacker MVP Jordan Assinewe.
"My linebackers rival any group of kids I've ever had," said Richer. "Our defence will once again be our strength."
On offence, Lockerby will feature slick quarterback Chris Sampson and stand out wide receiver Pat Truskoski and running backs Adam Legault and John Grenier.
Sampson finished third overall in 2006 for passing yards with 557. Truskoski was third in 2006 with 147 receiving yards. These two players worked out together all summer to improve their edge. They could explode on the league.
"We're out to prove we're the best," said Richer. "We have really high expectations."
St. Benedict Bears
6-0, first place, 180 PF, 81 PA. Won city A Championship.
The defending champs roll into the 2007 season looking to repeat last year's performance. It will be tough considering the mass exodus of sublime talents which has graduated including All-Stars Andrew Kirkwood, quarterback, and John Mikus, defensive end and 2006 Defensive MVP.
On offence, they have one returning All-Star, slot back Dylan Green, and he will be asked to supply leadership on all fronts.
The team is going to depend on tail back Joey Martellacci, who scored eight touchdowns overall for the Bears in 2006.
St. Benedict will also look to wide receiver Jordan Hynes to haul in catches and score a lot of points.
On defence, the Bears get a big boost with the addition of Zack Azzola and Nick and Austin Roy. They couldn't play in 2006 because of transfer issues, but add size and experience on the defensive line.
Defensive end Brock Lammare, corner back Steven Murray and linebacker Mitch Portelance all bring toughness, poise and skill to the Bears' line.
"We're out to prove last year wasn't a fluke," said head coach Frank Rocca. "Despite the players that have graduated, returning players and coaches feel that they have what it takes. With a winning tradition established, the bar has been raised for this years team."
Notre-Dame Alouettes
2-4, fifth place, 85 PF, 114 PA. Lost 21-7 to Lasalle in B final.
Notre-Dame will look to take the next step and become a contender this season. The club welcomes back about 34 veterans and the kids are ready to work to become a serious threat.
"The players are really eager," said head coach Paul Gauthier. "They're changing their shifts at work so they can practice. The boys are tired of being stepped on by other teams. They have dedicated themselves to winning games."
On defence, the team will rely on All-Star defensive end J.P. Levesque, All-Star defensive back Rob Godin and defensive tackle Chad Laroque.
"These guys bring experience and intensity," said Gauthier.
On offence, the Alouettes will work the ground and pound game courtesy of running back Eric Roque and full back Gaston Boucher.
Roque isn't a giant, but makes up for his lack of size with blistering speed. He was the 2007 city track and field senior boys 100-metre race champion.
"We have good team speed, which we will have to use to our advantage every game," said Gauthier. "We want to make the playoffs. Our first game is against St. Benedict and it will be a good measuring stick for us to see how we stack up in the league."
Lasalle Lancers
2-4, sixth place, 72 PF, 148 PA. Won B Division title.
For the third straight year, Lasalle claimed the B title. This is an honour they will not be able to achieve this season with the elimination of the old playoff format. Now, hopes in Lancer Land swirl around the overall league championship.
It will be tough as Lasalle is struggling to find enough players.
"Kids need to put down the video games...and get back to playing healthy, fun sports," said head coach Mike Derks. "We have over 1,100 students and struggle to get 30 kids out to play."
Although the Lancers may lack depth, they do have quality in their returning players.
The team will centre around All-Star slot back and kick returner Graham MacRae, who rumbled for 344 yards on 27 carries in 2006. He averaged 12.7 yards-per-carry, which was the top mark in the league last year.
Besides MacRae, Lasalle will count on quarterback Nick Liard, centre Kevin Spencer, linebacker Joe Schminsky and defensive ends Will Flesher and Jordan Lalonde.
"It's a good nucleus to build around," stated Derks.
St. Charles Cardinals
0-5-1, seventh place, 72 PF, 148 PA. Lost 33-22 to Lasalle in B semi.
The Cardinals were rebuilding in 2006 and hope their season of hard knocks will pay off in 2007.
The team features a plethora of Grade 11 players with plenty of talent. They will have to continue to improve each game in order for the Cardinals to survive.
Defensively, the team will bank on All-Star defensive and offensive lineman James Williams as well as lineman Jon Reis to keep the opposition honest.
On offence, quarterback Chris Duke will make the calls with wide receiver Blair Roberts and slot back Brent Toulouse expected to do damage to the foe's defences.
"We're expecting and need big things from these players," said head coach Mike Fabiili. "We have a good passing game and we will be strong on defence. We want to make the playoffs and from there, anything can happen. We will be competitive and work hard every game."
Lively Hawks
No 2006 record or statistics.
It's been 17 years since Lively put a football team on the gridiron. As expected, the team is keeping goals modest and will look to give established teams a run for their money each game.
The team didn't hold their first practice until last Friday and have had just six days to prepare for their first game against powerhouse Lockerby.
The team took a big step forward by naming Gord Goddard the head coach. Goddard is the Sudbury Spartans president and former stand out player. He will also be working with John Larsen, who has extensive coaching experience including a season with the Sudbury Northerners in 2006.
The team became a reality due to community support. $22,000 was raised in donations to get the team off the ground. Now all that remains to be seen is if the team can get enough players out to be competitive and not get blown out each contest.
"The numbers are going in the right direction," said Jacques Barbeau, team manager. "We have a great base of players, now we just need more to come out. It's huge for the community here to have high school football. I might be going out on a limb, but I think we will be competitive. Larsen said he never saw a group of kids that have learned the game so quickly...it's encouraging. Goddard adds great experience for the kids to learn from."
