Ontario Football Conference (junior) preview: Will the Sooners repeat?

The 51st season of the Ontario Football Conference kicks off Saturday August 7th with two games both at 7:00 pm.
Now with seven teams the 2010 OFC schedule contains byes including two weekends with just four teams playing.

The newest OFC entry, the Brampton Bears, will host the Burlington Braves at St Marcellinus Secondary School. The second game will feature the 2009 finalists as the Ottawa Sooners host the St Leonard Cougars at Keith Harris Stadium on the Carleton University campus.

Comments from the Head Coaches on their programs and news –

Andy McEvoy Ottawa Sooners –
“The 2010 season will mark the 50th anniversary of the Sooner organization. An organization filled with 50 years of history, tradition and accomplishments, we look forward to this season with great optimism. After returning to the OFC in 09, the Sooners football program are
looking forward to the challenge of defending our OFC title in 2010. The team would like to thank everyone who made this possible. The players will work hard to do their best to try and bring back a national title to Ottawa in our 50th anniversary year and continue to make the Sooners organization one the best in the nation. We expect the league to be very competitive and each game to be a challenge.
This year’s football team will demonstrate character and discipline on and off the field and, at the same time, always try to reach our potential in everything we do. All our efforts both on and off the field are guided by the following team values: The team is one unit; the athletes will demonstrate discipline and passion in everything we do; trust among the players will bind the team together as one unit; and our efforts will determine our ultimate success.”

Jason Hayes Hamilton Hurricanes –
“As we enter year 3 we feel confident at competing for the OFC title. We currently have 65 players attending training camp. The defence returns 11 starters including many high end recruits. Aram Eisho (2 time CJFL player of the year) is back and set to anchor our D.
Callum Ramsey, Mike Brewster and Graham Thompson have had great camps on the DL with vets Justin Boudreau and Jamal George securing the secondary. Corners Trevor Schoer and Denny Dubs have also looked good in the secondary.
With graduation of our starting QB, RB and leading receiver Travis Steeves. Our offence will have a new look. Matt Francis, Mike Chase and Belkar Singh are having a good battle at the QB position. The coaching staff has been pleased with the competition at the receiver and running back positions. With 20 skilled players fighting for spots. Our offence will lean to our OL with 4 starters returning including all-star Andrew Lobsinger and C Dan Brown.”
Defence is king – Brewster set for key role with Hurricanes
by Larry Moko The Hamilton Spectator
Count defensive lineman Mike Brewster among those players who actually enjoy football training camp — despite what happened to him last year.
The Hamilton St. Mary’s high school product injured three of his fingers at the Hamilton Hurricanes 2009 summer camp, forcing him to miss the entire Ontario Football Conference junior schedule as a result. “I broke two fingers on my left hand near the knuckle and fractured my pinky,” Brewster said as he dressed for the second week of Hurricanes preseason drills at Sir John A. Macdonald Secondary School last night.
MikeBrewster- Photo byJohn Rennison, The Hamilton Spectator
“We were doing cover drills. My hand got caught in Andrew Lobsinger’s collar. The fingers just didn’t leave his shoulder pads … they just snapped.
“Because I play defensive end, I need to grab people. I felt I couldn’t do my job to the best of my ability (with theinjury), so I decided to let it heal and live my life.”
At 6-foot-1, 230 pounds, Brewster has stayed in good physical condition partly due to his job in construction, building houses.
“Training camp is very beneficial to all players,” he said. “It gets you back into shape and you meet everybody on the team. You’ve got to try hard and show the coaches what you’ve got. That’s how you get your starting job.” Hurricanes have signed 61 players, with a handful more waiting for their local varsity seasons to end. Hamilton has a bye in Week 1 before opening the regular season Aug. 14 at 1 p.m. at Ivor Wynne Stadium against the Burlington
Braves. Other OFC franchises are located in Windsor, London, Ottawa, Brampton, and St. Leonard, Que. Hurricanes president Mike Samuel welcomes the return of Brewster who, in 2008, was among the leaders in quarterback sacks. “He came to us as a relative unknown,” Samuel said. “But he was pretty quick and got a lot done for us. He’s going to be a key component of our defence. We’re happy to have him back. He’s healthy and ready to go.”
Head coach Jason Hayes has added two new assistants — former Tiger-Cats Trevor Shaw (receivers) and Darrell Adams (defensive linemen). Eleven starters from the defence are back, including two-time Canadian defensive player of the year Aram Eisho and free safety Jamal George. “Defence wins championships,” Brewster said with a smile.

Jeff Rached St Leonard Cougars –
“Key returnees – Qb’s – Sheldon Moore & Gianni Settino, Kicker – Scott Leblanc, Rb – Beni Djock, Rec’s – Joel Martinez, Igor Vieux, Sébastien Crisi-Lauzon, Jonathan René, DB’s – Garrett Taylor & Mike Dubuisson, DL – Simon Rahal, Samuel Ngalamulume, David Francique.
Key rookies – Qb – Steve Lavallee starting Qb Laval Devils QJFL, DL – Qadr Spooner Midget All-Star Rb – Kyle Zarmair Concordia last season, Rec – Philippe Lamarche All-Star QJFL – Hugo Dumas & Chris M’Bemba both played for Univ Montreal Carabins last season, OL – Bruno Gilbert All-Star QJFL DB – Jocelyn Calixte & Rakeem Desmond both standouts in the QJFL.
This is the toughest year in the national level rotation, winning on the road for both the Intergold & Canadian Bowl. Teams with this type of experience at least have an understanding / experience they can draw on for their players. In our case this is a huge recruiting tool especially with the amount of football being offered here in Quebec to 18 to 22 year olds (Univ (6), Cegep AAA (6), Cegep AA (23), QJFL (6). So being able to offer this type of competition and exposure and travel at the national is definitely an excellent recruiting tool.
The OFC is enjoying growth again with another team Brampton joining the conference and the level of parody is creating exciting and character building games for all teams this bodes well for a team from the east to make a serious run for the national title.”

Brad Winder London Beefeaters –
“Key returnees – Offense: Line-Ryan Lockyer, Jonah Mattson, Running Back-C.J. Zsoldos, Anthony Surmanski, Tom Southwick, Matt Chona, Josh Carter, Receivers-Ryan Robbins, James Morrissey, Josh Dupuis. Defense: Line-Patrick Kuszaj, Rob Bowman, Tai Pham, Daniel Wettlaufer, Linebackers-Rob Varallo, Chris Vanmeppelenscheppink, Grant Weaver, Dave Portlock, Defensive Backs-Omar Chams, Mohammed Mohammed, Connor Grinnell, Zack Dean, Mike Scratch, Ahmed Halbouni and Brock Wheeler.
Prospects – Prospects: Offense-Line-Travis Cassin, Running Back-Brendan Allen, Receivers-Nathan Moniz.” Past failures make for even sweeter success
The London Beefeaters have turned around their organization both on and off the football field
By Sean Meyer – The Londoner George Thomson can remember a time, and it wasn’t too long ago, that he got a pat on the back just for managing to find enough football players to fill the Londoner Beefeaters team bus. In the midst of what would be a winless Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL) season just two years ago, Thomson, the Beefeaters team president, says he remembers talking with opponents who were surprised London even bothered
showing up for their games. “I remember, and it wasn’t too long ago, the organization was getting pretty tired and there was talk of pulling the plug. So between Vince (Zvonkin), Pat (Queenan), Jim (Stevenson) and I, we figured out how to keep this thing running. We
kind of kept it running for two years, but we were treading water,” Thomson says. “Anytime you are treading water, it is never good. We were getting 18-20 guys to practice, maybe 25 or 30 to games. I remember getting a pat on the back from the guys in Montreal and Burlington the one year for the team just getting off the bus for the past two games considering how the season had been going.”
As it turns out, the Beefeaters fortunes were just about to turn. The team, which ended up hiring head coach Brad Winder, followed a 4-4 regular season with its first playoff game in many seasons. Winder says he feels good about what the team was able to accomplish last season, including what he says are several key achievements. “Bring back the team and have a good season for the seniors that they could be proud of. We beat Montreal (first time in about 10 years). And we had the numbers at practice to be able to practice football the way it
supposed to be played.” Now, as the team continues to prepare for its Aug. 15 opener against the Windsor AKO Fratmen, at TD Waterhouse Stadium, Thomson says expectations on and off the field are really beginning to rise. “I think we can be Canadian champions. I know we will be the best we can be. We spent an awful lot of hours, over the last year and a bit, developing a strategic management plan for the Beefeaters. The plan denotes our excellence and it
lays out all the steps that have to happen,” Thomson says. “Where the expectations are for the future? We have a little binder that tells is in April we have to do this, in May we have to do this. We have time lines set up, we know who is doing what. We have actually drawn the roadmap to success.”
The road to that success was charted – certainly on the football field at least – byWinder who found himself rewarded for his efforts with the Gord Currie Award as the CJFL Coach of the Year For Thomson, having to pay money to fly his head coach out to B.C. to receive his award was perhaps the best moment in his time five years with the Beefeaters. It was also just one of the signs that success for the perennially downtrodden franchise.
“The icing on the cake was having to buy Brad a plane ticket to take him out to B.C., for the CJFL annual general meeting, so he could be awarded his coach of the year award for the Canadian Junior Football League. I don’t think he even knew he was nominated for it. So that kind of worked out pretty cool,” Thomson says. “We ended up with the coach of the year in Canada; we had a couple of guys get invites to CFL camps. Considering where we were two years ago; that to me, was a phenomenal turnaround.” As successful as last season may have been compared to the past several before it, Thomson says work continues in creating an organization that can work well with the city’s growing football culture. Perhaps most telling in that effort is a developing relationship with the University of Western Ontario football program.

Mike Lachance Windsor AKO Fratmen –
“Key Returning Vets: Mike Ingratta – WR – OFC All-star 2009, Joe Tritler (09 All-star), Jordan Campeau, Ahmed Abusafeyeh – OL Dylan Dumachelle – LB Deandre Jones – DB Key Rookies: Robb Matton – WR – Herman High School – Windsor/Essex County All-star WR/DB (defensive player of the year) James Drew – Athlete – Herman High School. Our expectations are an OFC Championship, but we must replace many key all star players like Ricky Simons, Terry Mauldin, and Adam Hart. No, the extra travel does not help recruiting. But it should be an exciting year around the OFC….I expect all of the teams to contend which should make for a great year.”
Hurst glad to be on home turf – AKO receiver on comeback trail Jim Parker, The Windsor Star
Windsor AKO Fratmen Derrick Hurst is looking forward to getting back into action. The 20-year-old hasn’t played a meaningful minute since ending his high school career at General Amherst in 2008. The six-foot-three, 200-pound receiver headed east last year to play at St. Mary’s University in Halifax, N.S. His season was derailed though before ever playing a game.
Derrick Hurst Photo by Dan Janisse, The Windsor Star “Camp opened Aug. 28th and I tore my meniscus and ACL (in his right knee) on the 29th or 30th,” Hurst said.
“I kept practicing for a week and a half until I went to get some ice and they looked at it and said, ‘You’re done.’ I had done the whole camp with the knee injured.” He opted for rest rather than surgery, but along the way decided to head home. “I missed being at home and I missed playing and practising with people I knew,” Hurst said. “I wanted to play in my hometown.”
AKO head coach Mike LaChance had tried to recruit Hurst before he left to play CIS football.
“I thought he was the consensus top player in our area,” LaChance said. “He’s big, strong, fast and makes plays. “I wanted him to come to AKO and play a year and see about getting a (U.S. college) scholarship.” When he returned from St. Mary’s, it was Hurst who cal-led LaChance.
“A bunch of my buddies had played there, but I didn’t know much about AKO,” Hurst said. “I went out to a practice and talked to the coaches and I just felt comfortable. I felt at home.”
LaChance was thrilled to add a big-play threat to what he thinks is already a talented offence.
“He’s super talented,” LaChance said. “He’s our No. 1 outside receiver and a lot of routes will go through him. “I wouldn’t have said that at the start of camp, but he’s earned it.” He’s enrolled at St. Clair College and considers the start of his AKO career the true beginning of his post-high school career. “This is my real starting point,” he said. “My goal is to play in the CFL as a professional. If I have to go back to the CIS to do it, I will, but maybe I can get a tryout playing AKO.” With the season opener in London less than two weeks away, he’s more excited for the chance to finally get back on the field and make plays.
“It’s (less than) two weeks until we play and I think about it every day,” Hurst said. “I just want to produce for the team and be a solid receiver. “I’m not trying to be the superstar. My goal isn’t to be the best AKO player. My goal is to help them win a championship.”

Craig Daveron Burlington Braves –
“James Lowes will lead a talented group on defence.
Jerome Barrett will look to follow up his rookie season with some big numbers. Going to have a lot of prospects for top rookie. Could be one of many, that competition will exciting!
I expect 2010 to be full of battles, the Braves will be much improved, Windsor wants back in the playoff picture and the other 4 teams do not want to give up what they earned last season. Add the Bears into the mix and you have a recipe for the most exciting OFC season in years!
Any road trip is something to look forward too. I am not sure what the fascination with BC is…..I suppose we will have to win the OFC to find out?”

Mark Houlder Brampton Bears –
“The new and improved Brampton Bears will house football players between the ages of 17 and 22 who are looking for an opportunity to improve their football skills to advance to the next level by playing in a professional football league. Under the watchful eyes of President Ian Smith
and Head Coach Mark Houlder – this team will no doubt be championship material. Our local players will enhance their skills and will also be part of the top feeder system to the CFL due to close ties with the Toronto Argonauts. As they have declared in their mission statement: “The Brampton Football mission is to educate and introduce young men to the personal and community-wide benefits associated with teamwork, discipline, respect and sacrifice.”
Inaugural game set for Saturday against Burlington
By ROBIN INSCOE
Saturday night can’t come soon enough for Brampton Bears football coach Mark Houlder. The coach of Brampton’s newest sports team will hit the field with his charges for their inaugural game in the Ontario Football Conference of the Canadian Junior Football League at St. Marcellinus Field in Mississauga against the Burlington Braves for a 7:00 p.m. kick-off, but even Houlder admits he’s not sure what to expect.
“I’m trying to get a feel for what the league is like,” said Brampton’s head coach as his team prepared for its OFC debut. “I’ve been watching tape of the other teams and the competition is going to be tougher than our guys are used to.” The Canadian Junior Football League is one of only three football league’s in the country that compete for a national championship— the others being the Canadian Football League and Canadian Interuniversity Sports.
The league is for players aged 17 to 22 who are no longer pursuing a post-secondary education and is a feeder system for the CFL. In fact, the Bears are affiliated with the Toronto Argos and had three players attend the CFL team’s rookie camp.
“It’s a place where good high school football players can challenge themselves,” noted Houlder.
In addition, Argos head coach Jim Barker has provided Houlder with the systems the Bears will run on offense this season. “The first game is going to be a real test,” admitted Houlder. “But I think we’re going to surprise a few people.” And while Houlder isn’t exactly sure what to expect from the opposition, he does know what’s on his side of the ball. “We’re going to play smash-mouth football,” claims Brampton’s coach. “We’re going to be blocking and hitting
people. It should be exciting.” Houlder and his coaching staff, which includes Paul Fenech, John Coburn and David Smith, feel they have some key pieces in place.
Among them will be quarterback Brad Elliott. A Brampton Minor Football Association grad, Elliott was a former Team Ontario starting quarterback. And he’ll be looking to hit St. Marguerite d’Youville grad Yunell Clayton. Houlder feels the 22-year-old, a 6-foot 3,
205-pounder, will be among the top receivers in the league. And on the defensive side of the ball, the Bears will be looking to former St. Augustine and d’Youville player Patrick Ross.
Ross attended the Argos rookie camp, and according to Houlder “just kept getting better and better.” And at 6-foot-2 and 250 pounds, he will be a physical presence on the field.
The Bears will also be relying on a pair of former Mississauga Warriors in Curt Thompson and Matthew DiPaola. Both attended the Argos’ rookie camp.
The Bears, who have been working toward Saturday’s opener since being officially accepted into the league in February, have been running three-per-week practices since July 1 as they get systems in place. “We’re still a little behind but we’re making really good progress,’ admitted Houlder. “There are going to be growing pains but we’ll have a few surprises in store.”
The Bears will play an eight-game schedule in the Ontario Conference, meeting up with the Burlington Braves, Ottawa Sooners, Hamilton Hurricanes, St. Leonard Cougars, Windsor AKO Fratmen. Brampton meets Ottawa and London twice.
There are also six teams in the British Columbia Conference and another half-dozen squads in the Prairie Conference. When the dust settles, the top two teams will compete for the Canadian championship.
“There is a huge tradition here,” said OFC president Doug Dittmer while attending a recent Brampton Minor Football Day at the Creditview/Sandalwood fields. “It’s like the OHL in hockey. It’s the Junior A of football.” Dittmer expects that the Bears will be tested in the OFC.
“They’re going to be in tough,” said the league president. “It’s just below the CFL. Hundred of players have gone from this league to the CFL. And Houlder and his staff are hoping that some of his players can make that jump. “I’m anxious, skeptical, nervous and optimistic,” admitted Houlder, a former CFLer himself. “ We’ve been working on this for a year.”
Those emotions will probably subside around 7:05 p.m. on Saturday.