Resurrection Phoenix coach Kyle Armour wasn't biting.
Nor was Cameron Heights Golden Gaels coach Kevin Bell.
With the Phoenix (5-0) and Gaels (4-0) set to play the biggest game of the current Waterloo County senior boys football league season on Thursday night, neither coach was about to say anything that could possibly help fire up the opposition. The reporter definitely tried, but failed miserably.
"Tyler Varga. He's all hype, eh Kyle?"
"Nice try," the Rez coach said.
"Beau Landry. Would you say he's overrated, Kevin?"
"Ha. Ha. Ha. I don't think so," the Cameron coach laughed.
All kidding aside, much of the attention will be on Landry and Varga during the 7 p.m. game at Centennial Stadium. Both running backs are having outstanding seasons heading into the game that will determine first place in the A division standings.
Cameron comes in to the game on a high after scoring an impressive 29-0 win over Sir John A. Macdonald last week. Rez, meanwhile, survived a scare in a 22-17 win over Preston. The Phoenix actually trailed in the second half of that game before staging a rally. The Gaels handed the Panthers a 49-6 defeat a few weeks back.
So that would make Cameron the favourite here, wouldn't it?
"Considering what they did against Preston and how they managed to shut out a team like SJAM, we're definitely the underdogs," agreed Armour.
"It's definitely going to be tough to stop the offence they have. They are a potent offence and at the same time, their defence has looked pretty good too. And on special teams, they have Varga and (Andrew) Thibaudeau returning kicks, so that doesn't make life any easier for us."
Bell, of course, sees things a different way.
"I guess they are the favourites. Until someone beats them, they are still the champions. But we are rolling along pretty good too," said Bell.
"They area well-rounded team and we know it's going to be tough."
The coaches agree the game will likely be won along the line of scrimmage. Rez's offensive lineman can't allow Cameron to focus specifically on Landry. That means protecting quarterback Jason Chris from the Cameron attack, especially defensive ends Brandon Murphy, Colson May and Dylan McMurray.
Cameron's O-line will also play a key role in giving QB Andrew Usztics enough time to look downfield, as he's been known to do.
Searching for bulletin board material, both coaches have reminded their players of statements made over the last week.
For Rez, it was Thibaudeau saying they were a good team, but they hadn't played the Gaels yet.
For Cameron, it was SJAM's Mack Forristal saying Rez had more heart.
A game like this might come down to special teams and big plays, a scenario that would seem to favour Camerokn.
Oh, and here's something else that should fire up the Phoenix . . . the Gaels will win.
THURSDAY
Jacob Hespeler (4-0) vs. St. Mary's (0-4), 7 p.m., Rogers
This was the week's safest pick, even before the Eagles folded their team this week. I get a free pass on this one and the Hawks stay on top in the B division.
WCI (2-2) at Southwood (4-1), 3 p.m.
The Vikings might be just a little too high after handing the Eagles a 49-0 loss last week. Look for the Sabres to close out their regular season with a win and then wait to see who they're A division playoff opponent will be.
FRIDAY
SJAM (1-3) at Forest Heights (0-4), 3 p.m.
Things go from bad to worse for the poor Trojans. The Highlanders have lost three in a row and will take out their frustrations here.
Bluevale (2-2) at Elmira (1-3), 3 p.m.
The Knights are getting better every week as they gear up for the playoffs and are capable of making noise once they get there. The Lancers won big over the Trojans last week, but these aren't the Trojans. Bluevale makes it three in a row.
St. David (1-3) at Huron Heights (0-4), 3 p.m.
Just a hunch, but the Huskies are going to end the season with two straight wins. They're scheduled to face St. Mary's next week. See above.
TUESDAY
Grand River (5-0) at Glenview Park (4-1), 2 p.m.
The Renegades handed the Panthers their only loss of the C division schedule in Week 1 and needed overtime to do it. The Panthers will turn the tables on their home field.
Eastwood (0-5) at St. Benedict (2-3), 2 p.m.
The Rebels have nowhere to go but up. The Saints won the first meeting 35-9 and will likely win by a similar score here.
KCI (2-3) vs. Waterloo-Oxford (2-3), 7 p.m., St. David
The Raiders are one of the feel good stories of 2009. Not even in the league in 2008, the Raiders are getting better with each passing week. They lost to the Crusaders 20-3 in a Week 1 game that was much closer than the score would have you believe. The Raiders finish with a .500 record.
Last week: 8-1. Overall: 34-11.
* * *
Something stinks about this whole St. Mary's mess.
Player safety is and always should be an issue, but in this case it comes across as an excuse rather than a reason.
What about the 20 or so students who did attend practice regularly? What about the coaches who gave so much of their time? What about their remaining B division opponents who will now get unwanted bye weeks?
One thing that struck me as peculiar was when athletics head Rob Cardy told me the senior coaches would help out with the junior team. A few hours later, when closing out a talk with senior coach Peter Cheeseman, I mentioned to him that I had heard he would be joining the junior staff and he had no idea what I was talking about.
Also, here's a parent's take on the whole situation.
*************************************
October 27, 2009
Theresa Horan and The Athletics Department
St. Mary’s High School
1500 Blockline Road
Kitchener, Ontario N2C 2S2
Dear Theresa Horan and The Athletics Department:
Shame on you! To cancel the St. Mary’s senior football team’s season three quarters of the way through because they are 0-4 and discouraged kids are not coming to the practice. Was there ever hazing? Are the kids out of control with the coaches? Are they vandalizing or destroying school property? Are they unsportsmanlike representing St. Mary’s? No, so some players are discouraged. What about the twenty-five to thirty players who do come to practice on a regular basis? What about discussing this with the boys and giving them a chance rather than just pulling the team?
It is my understanding that the coaching staff did not support this decision. The message you are sending is since you lost 49-0 we won’t support you. Making the decision based solely on concerns about player safety and the safety of opponents does not seem like rational reasoning and I question your understanding of the sport of football.
St. Mary’s is a faith-based school. Everyday I send my children to school having faith in the teachers and administrators - faith that they will show leadership by example, by doing the right thing even when it is difficult. Cancelling the team is not the right thing to do. Administration has not shown leadership in this instance. There is no faith here. Not even giving these players a warning or a second chance is very poor judgement. The message is clear “we have no faith in you”.
Or is it a message we all know too well. Welcome to the adult world where bureaucrats and administration can make decisions that severely affect others while taking no involvement with an active role in solving the problem. The world where bureaucrats and administrators preach “teamwork” and “team spirit” yet don’t even understand what it means. How can you be surprised with an impressionable young person’s “attitude” when these are the messages being sent? Again, shame on you!
Teamwork is the strong working with the weak; to become the best the team can be. Team spirit is achieved through tradition, support, involvement, and yes – success. The four levels of the high school: principal, administration, teachers/coaches, and students are all needed for team spirit. The students are the most easily swayed and will jump on and off the “band wagon” until tradition is established. I see the teachers and coaches doing their part, but where is the leadership from the top?
/2
Having grown up in Kitchener and lived my whole life here, I know how a high school athletic program can contribute to a school’s image and the pride students will carry with them their whole life, even when they never play school sports. In my youth, St. Jerome’s was admired and even envied for their athletes, programs and school spirit. This was deep throughout the school, but emanated from the top. There was a belief in the value of athletics and team sports from the principal on down.
My wife and I have two sons that have attended St. Mary’s; our oldest is back for a fifth year and our younger son is in his third year. Both boys have played team sports every year including junior and senior football, junior and senior hockey, and rugby. We love what this has brought them; many new friends, confidence in the student community, a sense of belonging, fitness and aiding in keeping them away from drugs and alcohol. We believe the biggest reason for the poor backing of team sports and team spirit at St. Mary’s comes from the absolute top. In this I mean the principal and administration.
How could you do this to the players? Shame on you!
Sincerely,
Mike Runstedler
cc. Waterloo Catholic District School Board
Dan Hutter, Vice Principal
Rob Cardy, Athletic Program Head
Tom Mandich, St. Mary’s Athletic Program Assistant
Mark Bryson, Record Staff
