#CFCOPC PLAYERS TO WATCH: Team West Varsity FS Abele carries plenty of big game experience

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

Anthony Abele brings a slew of experience to his 3rd Ontario Prospect Challenge.

Along with two other OPC’s, Abele has played in the International Bowl, the Spaulding Cup, and is in his eighth season of competitive football.

Over those years with the Brantford Bisons, Hamilton Hurricanes and Hamilton Jr. Tiger Cats of the Ontario Football Conference (OFC) and the Delhi Raiders of the Norfolk Central & Western Ontario Secondary Schools Association (CWOSSA), Abele has seen playing time on both sides of the pigskin, and loves every second of it.

“I chose Free Safety because of my athleticism and my ability to recognize and read offences.  The position is a good fit for me,” he elaborated. “I chose to become a quarterback because I enjoy being put under pressure and I like having the ability to determine the play.”

Football is a family affair for the Abele’s.

“I look up to my father who played CIS football at the University of Waterloo,” Anthony said. “I also look up to my brother who currently plays for the University of Windsor.”

At the end of April, Abele will be competing in his third consecutive Ontario Prospect Challenge, this time owning a ‘home field advantage’ of sorts.

“In my OPC experience in the last two years, my team has won both times and I have had the opportunity to play multiple positions,” expressed the Hamilton Jr. Tiger Cats standout. “OPC gives me an opportunity to show my athleticism, ability and skill against the best players in the province.”

Abele is working hard to prepare himself for the event, and is looking forward to playing with and against some of Ontario’s most elite young stars.

“To prepare myself for OPC, I am continuing training in the weight room and working on my technique with my coaches in Hamilton,” he mentioned.

“I am looking forward to the competition. I will be up against some of the best receivers in Ontario.”

The Hamilton native has some pretty high expectations of himself going into the game, and hopes it will help further his development as he nears university.

“My goal in OPC is to be the difference maker, playing a significant part in Team West winning the game and also to be the MVP,” he stated convincingly. “I hope to get experience in this prospect game against some of the best players in Ontario that will help prepare me for future opportunities in university.”