The Sudbury Northerners are out to earn respect this season.
The franchise has competed in the Ontario Varsity Football
League (OVFL) for the past four seasons, but have just one win
to show for all their efforts.
Last season, they went 1-7, but lost four games by less than a
touchdown.
The 2007 season kicks off for the Northerners this Sunday, when
they hit the road to play the Pickering Dolphins.
From management to coaches to the players, everyone involved
with the team is ready to show the league the Northerners are
for real and must be taken seriously.
Veteran linebacker Kevin Garbuio is just one player who is
tired of hearing other people mock his team and, to a lesser
extent, his town.
"We want respect and this year, there's a lot of pride on this
team," said the 19-year-old. "Being at university and playing
football there, I go to school with guys who play on other
teams in the OVFL and they laugh at the thought of Sudbury
being taken seriously. That's in my head and it gives me plenty
of motivation. I don't want to just go out and compete this
year...I want to win."
The Northerners' coaching staff is ready to rumble as well.
"It's going to be an exciting year because we have a lot of
talented players," said head coach Frank Rocca. "We can't wait
for game time."
However, talent alone doesn't win games.
"We need team chemistry and we need the players to rely on one
another," said Rocca. "We need to go out and compete hard every
game. What we do run, we need to do it well and do nothing
fancy. We need the players to make smart decisions, so we will
be in the position to win games."
Sudbury's management is also impressed with the lineup this
season and can't wait to see it in action against opposing
teams.
"We've shaped up well and the team looks really good," said
president Mike Davey. "We're still waiting on four or five
players to come out to fill in any remaining gaps we have. Our
offensive line is impressive, but young. Still, I think they
match up well against any defensive line in the league."
Rocca was brought in as the new coach for 2007. He has already
surpassed the team's expectations.
"Frank is very good at what he does," said Davey. "He has goals
and laid out the steps to accomplish them. They're not lofty
goals, but attainable goals. Frank prepares for each game and
approaches it in a professional manner."
Hopes are high for the squad and losing games because of lack
of intensity and competitiveness will not be tolerated.
"There's no excuses for losing by three points," said Davey.
"We lost four games last year by less than a touchdown.
We're going in the right direction this year. We have had out time in the league's basement. Last year, we lost games because of lack of motivation and dedication from the players. This year is much different...the players are busting their butts off to make this work."
The offence has many people talking. Quarterback Andrew
Kirkwood, running back Eric Ethier and a big offensive line
will lead it.
"Our offensive line should be the strength of the team," said
Rocca. "Our offence is very talented and will score a lot of
points."
On the defensive side, the team will lean heavily on stalwarts
such as defensive ends John Mikus and Ben Quinn, along with
linebacker Garbuio.
"Our defence looks solid...and we really don't have any
weaknesses," said Rocca. "We expect guys like Quinn, Mikus and
Garbuio to lead."
The team is still in talks with linebacker Jason Cecchini and
running back Neil Petrin to join the roster and wade into the
battles.
Both played university football this past season - Cecchini at
McMaster and Petrin at Queen's - and would be valuable and
experienced additions to the fold.
"Those guys are thinking about it...they're both working this
summer," said Rocca. "Hopefully, we can get them out and
playing."
Garbuio, who now enters his fifth season with the Northerners,
is optimistic about the club's fortunes this summer.
"I am impressed with our offence," said Garbuio. "Our offensive
line is big and mean. It's usually the defence having to step
up every game to try and win games for us. Not so this year.
I've never felt this good about an offence."
The Northerners play their first two games of the season on the
road. Their first home game is June 9 against the Newmarket
Storm. It's slated for 4 pm at St. Benedict field.
