Today, CFC features class 2014 star defensive lineman from the St. Joseph’s Jaguars, Gurjant Singh. Gurjant began his football career in grade six with the SEFA Rams.

Gurjant Singh

Positions:
Defensive Line, Long Snapper, Fullback

Height/Weight:
6’1, 240 lbs

Teams:
St. Joseph’s Jaguars (high school)
Mississauga Warriors (junior varsity: OVFL)
Mississauga Warriors (atom: OMFL)
SEFA Rams (house league)

Commitment:
None

Consideration:
Guelph, McMaster, Queen’s, Open

Class:
2014

When he first played with the Rams, the coaching staff was impressed by what they saw in Gurjant.

“I was put at defensive end when they saw my size and my quickness,” says Gurjant. “That was where I became a standout and was told to move to a rep team.”

The defensive star took the advice and moved up to play with the atom Mississauga Warriors of the Ontario Minor Football League (OMFL). Gurjant’s impact on the team was instantly felt as he captained the team to a championship. Moreover, his dominance on the field was recognized as he was defensive lineman MVP of the team.

Even though he continued to play with the Warriors, the leagues changed and Gurjant found himself playing in the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL). In 2010, he was the defensive rookie MVP and was selected by coaches in the league to be an OVFL conference all-star. The standout experienced the highlight of his football career this past season, when the team won the OVFL junior varsity championship.

“We were considered underdogs even though we had dominated the league,” explains Gurjant. “We versed the Ottawa Myers- Riders, who went undefeated in their conference but we dominated the game winning by a score of 21-7.”

“We were more battle tested as the Ottawa team had not faced a team that could challenge them and in that game I had a few tackles and a fumble recovery returned about 15 yards.”

Additionally, the sdefensive standout has been selected to the GTA Rising all-star team and will play in the May 6th contest at McMaster University.

It is not lost on the grade ten star player of the important role his coaches have played during his football career. They havebeen a strong influence in his evolution as an elite, yet dominant defensive star.

“My coaches have always been with me, pushing me to my limits and teaching us lessons that we can use in our everyday lives,” says Gurjant. “One of my most influential coaches is Sean McKenna, who’s always supported me and has tried to show me my potential as a football player.”

For the grade 10 star, having the encouragement and support of his parents makes it possible for him to pursue his football and education goals.

“My parents are always there to support me in my decisions while also giving a lot of advice that I consider very important in my growth as a player and as a person,” adds Gurjant who plays high school ball for the St. Joseph’s Jaguars. “My parents have always pushed my academics ahead of football because they know without it, I won’t be successful in football.”

Gurjant knows the key for continued success in football is hard work, but also knows that the game is not just an individualistic effort.

“If you don’t go after what you want, someone else will take it from you,” comments the grade ten player. “I have learned how to play as a team, because one player cannot make a team great; it’s an effort put forth by every individual athlete to come together as one and achieve something great.”

Warriors head coach Chris Hobbs says the future bodes well for this football phenom.

“Gurjant is a great kid and he was a dominant player in OVFL JV last year and will be JV again this year,” comments Hobbs, who also adds that the defensive star trains very hard in the off-season at the Athlete Training Centre in Mississauga. “He is an athletic, big D-lineman and he played quarterback in high school.”

“He is very coachable and is a great team player. He is very committed to the game of football.”

Video of Ben’s Football Highlights:

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