BY SCOTT
HADDOW
As a raw rookie in the Northern Football Conference (NFC),
Sudbury Spartans linebacker Joe Kerr smashed his way to the
Second Team All-Star squad.
His hard hits and constant physical presence was a blessing to
the Spartans defence. All season long, even when his body was
swelled with dark bruises and his bones ached, Kerr constantly
lined up and propelled his robust frame into the opposition to
try and stop the offensive attack from scoring on the Spartans.
Kerr couldn't have written a better script for himself
and knows he achieved something remarkable.
"I don't even know where to begin," said the
five-foot-eleven, 215-pound linebacker about his nomination to
the All-Star team. "It feels amazing to say the least,
especially since it was my first year playing for the Spartans.
It's a great accomplishment. I can't take all the
credit. My defensive line helped me out a lot. It wasn't a
one-man show."
Playing NFC football gets Kerr stoked.
"It means the world to me to play NFC football," said the
former St. Benedict graduate. "You can't find this level of
competitiveness anywhere else. I wouldn't give it up for
anything. The pain, sores, bruises...it's all worth it to
play this sport. It's all about being part of a team and
having a common goal."
Kerr walked into the 2006 season with some edges to his
game. Thanks to a veteran squad and a more than helpful
coaching staff, Kerr was able to elevate his game.
"The knowledge I came across was incredible, playing with
those guys," said the 20-year-old. "They know how to play. I
really learned how to read the offensive line...coach Chris
Bartolucci beat it into my head. I help coach St. Benedict, and
I will be able to turn around right away and bring this
knowledge to the high school team."
Kerr surprised the Spartans' coaching staff all season
with his willingness to get involved physically when the going
got tough and his sponge-like mind which soaked up the hard
lessons.
"Joe's a little small for his position, but he plays
big...really big," said head coach Bartolucci. "As a
linebacker, you have to see the whole field...once Joe
understood the role, he picked it up quickly. From sideline to
sideline, he's is as fast as anyone. He was in on a lot of
tackles and led a lot of them as well. With a bit more
experience, I think people will see his name on the All-Star
team more in his career."
Kerr brings a simple strategy to the Spartans.
"I bring hard hitting to the team," said the modest Cambrian
College student. "I don't want to brag...My job is to hit
people and I guess I am OK at it. I don't mind the physical
aspect at all. It goes hand in hand."
Besides being named an All-Star, Kerr has one other stand
out memory from the 2006 season.
In a 18-14 win over the Quinte Limestone Panthers in June,
Kerr and his teammates made a miraculous stand in the final
seconds to preserve the win and help the Spartans eventually
make the playoffs.
"We had to stop them four straight times at our one-yard
line," said Kerr. "We did it. It was an awesome night and one
I'll never forget."
Kerr will be playing the second annual NFC All-Star Game,
which takes place at Queen's Athletic Field on Sept. 9.
