On Saturday afternoon the Vincent Massey Trojans will welcome the Garden City Gophers for an afternoon game. The 0-1 Trojans will battle the 1-0 Gophers on Massey’s homecoming day.
Last week the Trojans got off to a 20-0 lead over the St.Paul’s Crusaders but failed to score any points in the second half and eventually lost 21-20. Josh Diamond was a 2-way warrior for Massey on the offensive and defensive lines, and Andreas Dueck at quarterback made some tremendous throws and reads throughout the game.
When speaking with Coach Kelsy McKay about what he told his group after a loss like that he replied, “Players win games, and head coaches lose games. I will work harder to better prepare them for a full 48 minutes each week, for the rest of the season.”
Even though Coach McKay and his staff take the blame for the loss, the players aren’t fully off the hook for their game. “That statement above doesn’t absolve them of their responsibility to prepare themselves, but myself, and our coaching staff, have to set a better path for them.”
The strength of Vincent Massey’s game was their pass attack. Coach Kelsy McKay added, “Our inability to consistently run the ball, and get 2-and-outs vs their offense, were disappointments, I also didn’t get our team prepared to play a full 48 minutes.”
In order for the Vincent Massey Trojans to get their season back in the right direction, they will have to run the ball against Garden City. “We have to run the ball better, which will be very difficult, as GC has a very good D-Line, led by Kieran Cummings, one of the top players regardless of position in the WHSFL.” Massey’s kicking game, return and coverage will have to be much more disciplined. “GC is very athletic, and working better together as a ‘unit’ in our Special Team has to improve,” concluded McKay.
Garden City defeated the Dakota Lancers 6-1 last Thursday. In the win against Dakota, Kieran Cummings was a standout on both sides of the line. Riley Williams and Mason Cespe were also great at linebacker.
On defense, the Gopher’s strengths are their ability to get the quarterback, as well as a strong secondary. “We have numerous skill players who can make plays on offense and we need to find creative ways to get the ball into their hands,” said coach Beau Wilks. “It is still very early and with so many players stepping into starting roles for the first time I think we are still trying to find exactly where our strengths will be.”
The Garden City Gophers are heading into this matchup preparing for a very well coached and talented team that has numerous players who can make plays. Wilks explained, “This is their homecoming game as well which will bring an interesting atmosphere which many of our players have not experienced.”
Vincent Massey may be in a bad mood coming off of last week’s loss and Garden City may be in tough but as coach Wilks mentioned, “”We are looking forward to the challenge the defending champions will offer Saturday.”
We at CFC think that Vincent Massey will take this one over Garden City.
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