BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
They were the laughing stock of the Sudbury
high school football league for the last couple of seasons.
They were even the laughing stock of their own school.
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Aaron Rothney, left, and Andy
Kirkness, two members of the Sudbury Secondary School
varsity football team, are thrilled with the way the
team has persevered through challenges. |
But, nobody is laughing anymore at the
Sudbury Secondary School North Stars football varsity team,
which has made a dramatic turnaround this season.
The team entered the league two seasons ago
and proceeded to lose game after game. In fact, the team didn't
win one game in its first two seasons.
It all changed this year.
The North Stars took a huge step towards
respectability when they won their first two games of the
season, beating Notre-Dame 13-8 and Lasalle 19-6.
For veterans who have been on the team since
the start, winning has breathed new life into the football
program and has hopes higher than ever before.
"Attitudes have changed," said outside
linebacker Andy Kirkness. "On the team and in the school and
the league about us. We were laughing stocks before this year.
No offence was taken considering what we had done though. We're
getting more respect now from everyone. We're no joke
now."
The numbers game has greatly improved the
squad.
"The losses were a result of not having
enough players," said Kirkness. "This year, we have a lot more
players and everybody is more serious, especially the guys who
are playing their last year. We got new players from other
schools and that has helped a lot too. The wins have
helped
create a lot of interest in the team as
well."
The North Stars were bolstered this year by
about six players from local schools that didn't operate a
football program.
They received four players from MacDonald
Cartier and another four from Sacre-Couer.
Slot back Aaron Rothney, another three-year
vet, was thrilled to finally earn a victory.
"After two years of losing every game,
winning some games meant a lot to me and this team," said
Rothney. "It shows if you stick with something, it pays off in
the end. Before, we would come back to school after losing and
people would tell us 'We told you so.' Now, we have something
to brag about and it feels good."
Head coach Dave St. Amour is glad to finally
see positive results for the school and the student
athletes.
"Two wins is a big change for us," said St.
Amour. "I think the biggest thing is it has helped generate a
lot more interest in the team, so the kids are proud to be on
this team. It's hard to hold your head up high when you're
losing a lot. Guys are walking around with their jerseys on at
school and they're happy to be part of the team. I hope the
enthusiasm spills over to other sports in the school."
It hasn't been easy though. The North Stars
borrowed equipment from the Sudbury Northerners, and when that
didn't get every kid in full gear, other league teams pitched
in to help.
"Without the support of the whole football
community it would be an even bigger challenge to get a team on
the school," said St. Amour. The North Stars are gunning for a
playoff spot in the A Division this season.
The team plays tonight against St. Benedict
at Queen's Athletic Field, starting at 7 pm.
In other football action, Confederation plays
St. Charles today on its home turf, starting at 3:30 pm.
