Guelph adds two QBs

Guelph adds two Ontario commits to their Class of 2018.

Nothing in football is ever handed to you, and while quarterbacks Andrew Horscroft from St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School and Michael Scarfone from Jean Vanier Catholic Secondary School may now be teammates, they will also be competing against one another for playing time with the University of Guelph Gryphons.

Andrew Horscroft

Andrew Horscroft has plenty of interests. Interested in studying either economics, political science, international development or sociology, he needed a school that offered all of these programs. Enter Guelph. “I chose this school because I felt it was the best fit athletically and academically as well,” he said. “Overall, the environment of Guelph felt natural to me and I feel like I can see myself as a Gryphon.”

It probably helped that the coaching staff welcomed him with open arms. He said the staff was very welcoming. “I think that Guelph has a well-rounded and intelligent staff, which is a reason why this university has become so well known for their football in Canada,” he added.

Horscroft has been playing football since the tender age of eight. In his almost ten-year career, he has suited up for the Cambridge Lions and the St. Benedict Saints (District 8). While with the Lions, the product of Cambridge, Ontario, was named as an offensive MVP. He was also a MVP at his high school this past season. Standing at 6’0, 190lbs, he is a multi-year all-star.

“I am looking forward to working with my teammates and coaches to compete and get better every day,” Horscorft said. “And, to bring more success to the Guelph program!”

Michael Scarfone

In his young, three-year career, Michael Scarfone has already had to battle through adversity. In 2016, he was sidelined for the season after tearing his ACL and his medial and lateral meniscus. “To be recruited by a number of schools in the OUA is truly an honour,” he said. “I want to thank Guelph for giving me the opportunity to better myself as a football player. I know that I will bring nothing but grit and passion to the program in the coming 2018 season.”

Coming in as a young quarterback is no easy task. But, Scarfone is grateful for the chance to be apart of a high-level team. “Guelph provides young men such as myself an opportunity to compete, develop and grow both as a football player and as an individual. The consistent drive to succeed and be the best is something I wanted to be apart of,” he said.

“From the head coach all the way down to the volunteer coaches, I believe that Guelph is an overall fantastic place to further my football career,” Scarfone added. “(Head) Coach McNeil is an inspirational, passionate and motivated guy who takes cares of his players. That was really important in my decision, finding a coach that I feel I can go to war for.”

Scarfone also has fond words for the rest of the coaches. He said that Coach Nesbitt, Galloway and JF “have such tremendous knowledge and passion for the game, which makes it so easy to come to work every time and work hard for them.”

Originally from Milton, Ontario, Scarfone played for the Jean Vanier Knights (Halton Catholic Athletic Association) in high school. In 2014, the 6’3, 180lbs athlete was a Halton junior champion.

“The football program is heading in a very positive direction,” Scarfone said. “I believe as though Guelph is very close to competing and winning Vanier Cups in the near future and I hope that I can be a very key part in that.”