Knights charging for glory

BY SCOTT HADDOW

The Lo-Ellen Knights senior boys' football team is on a relentless crusade.

The lads from the school on Loach's Road have taken no prisoners in their charge to the city championship game.
Tonight, they take their shot at claiming Sudbury high school football's Holy Grail, the city championship. They beat Lockerby 13-8 in a semifinal game to advance to the final.

Lo-Ellen's quest, which has taken on biblical proportions within their own circle, has taken them down a familiar path.
Last year, the Knights valiantly marched to the city final facing a veteran St. Benedict Bears team. Their siege was repelled firmly as the Bears won 36-13.

They will once again face their old foes from St. Benedict for league bragging rights.

Last year's loss has given the Knights plenty of motivation, but it isn't the only incentive driving this veteran-ladened squad.

They want to win and feel, like knights in the actual Crusades, it's their destiny to win.

Their defence has workhorse studs such as Alex Makitalo and Lucas Pope. The offence stable if full of pure thoroughbreds such as quarterback Brett Walter, wide receiver Jordyn Andric and runners Bryan Babic and Kyle Cooper.

These guys and the rest of the team have no desire to have that sick feeling in the pits of their stomachs again this year. They want to feel the ecstasy of being champions and all the spoils that goes to the winners.

"It felt bad and it was heartbreaking," receiver Andric said about how the team felt after losing the big game in 2006.

"It was tough to take and no one ever wants that feeling again. It's the biggest game of the year for us...for some guys their high school careers. We wanted another shot at the city championship. Now, we have to take the big step and win it."

Revenge and redemption are words that have been tossed around about the Knights' prospects of playing St. Benedict again. It's exactly where Lo-Ellen wants to be.

"This was our goal at the start of the year," head coach Kevin Ellsworth said. "The kids wanted to be back in the city championship and win it all. We have a lot of veterans who know what it takes to be successful. We've had a lot of guys step up all year. This team is willing to do whatever it takes to win."

Lo-Ellen has gone through some big changes from last year, and this year's squad is more determined.

"We're focused on what matters," linebacker Alex Makitalo said. "It's kind of ironic we get to play the team that beat us last year in the final. We have a different offensive scheme and our defence has changed. Everything is a lot more intense this year and we're ready for the biggest game of the year."

Last year's loss does carry some weight with the Knights, but they're using it as extra fuel to drive their championship hopes.

"It's on our minds and we have to use it as extra motivation," defensive player Chris Debruyn said. "It means everything to us to be back in the final again. We're playing our biggest rival...everyone is pumped up for it. We're out to win it this time around."

The coaching staff is hoping for a complete game out of the Knights' offence, defence and specialty teams.

"If we ever put a game together, we're going to handle ourselves well against any opponent," Ellsworth said. "We've yet to do it all year long, where the defence plays as good as the offence or vice-versa. These kids have learned it's not over until it's over and to never quit. We were down against Lockerby in the semifinal, but the boys never rolled over and died. They kept going and won. This team has come together and realizes it has the chance to beat anybody."

The school is beaming about the progress their football team has made in 2007.

"Being back in the championship game is justification for all the hard work these kids have put in and their dedication," Ellsworth said. "I'm proud of them and it's a great group. It's going to be an incredible game on Friday night. I think our guys will surprise people...they're ready."