#CFCOPC PLAYERS TO WATCH: Team Central Varsity QB Craney ready to impress

The countdown begins to CanadaFootballChat.com’s Ontario Prospect Challenge (OPC) on the April 29th weekend at Tim Horton’s Field in Hamilton. In the days leading up to the OPC, CFC will preview the teams and the players participating in the big event.

Being a football player who is competing in an event has its advantages and Noah Craney of Team Central Varsity has access to the elusive side of the Ontario Prospect Challenge that the public does not.

While spectators only typically see the games during the OPC, there is a broader, social element that goes largely unnoticed. Craney said he chose to play in the OPC because of the opportunity to play with and against some of the best players in Ontario. He added that the OPC gives him a chance to be recruited by Ontario University Association schools.

While players and recruiters make up a large portion of the OPC, they are not the only new faces a player can meet. For Craney, he said the highlight has been “getting access to great coaching and meeting new people.”

The young player has suited up for Newmarket Raiders (York Region Athletics Association) and the York Simcoe Bucs (Ontario Football League). Standing at 6’0, 170lbs, Craney finds himself playing as a quarterback.

When asked about why he enjoys his current position, he said it is because of “the ability to have control of the game.”

It should come as no surprise that Craney picked Peyton Manning, a former member of the Denver Broncos, and Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers, two of the game’s best quarterbacks. “They are great leaders and students of the game,” he said.

With this year’s OPC happening at Tim Hortons Field, home of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Craney said he is very excited for the chance to play at the home of a CFL team. He added, “I will be sure to make the most of it.”

When the game begins, there is bound to be some pressure. “Pressure is a privilege,” Craney said. “It’s where I play my best.”

Craney will be graduating in 2016 and his goal is to either play in the NCAA or the CIS. He is currently considering Concordia University in Montreal and York University in Toronto. He added that another one of his goals is to help his team win a championship.

Before he can do that, however, there is the OPC to compete in. Craney aims at helping his team win and showing the OUA scouts how good of a player he is. He also wants to throw at least one touchdown pass in the game.

As for Team Central Varsity, the goal is simple; win the game.

Advocating for football prospects one story at a time.

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