There’s a strong difference between winning games and building a winning culture. In the former, victories, no matter how they affect a team’s character and skill development, take precedent. In the latter, the focus is on physical, mental and emotional growth. It’s a holistic approach which includes trusting the process and getting better day by day. 

In Oakbank, Manitoba, where the Springfield Sabres call home, the team’s identity, “brick by brick,” is based on the latter and it’s safe to say it’s paid off. 

In just two seasons in the Winnipeg High School Football League (WHSFL), head coach Tom Walls – who founded both the WHSFL club and its MMFA counterpart the Sunrise Coyotes – has helped lead the Sabres to two consecutive undefeated regular seasons. This past year, in what turned out to be an unusual campaign, Springfield ran the table, capturing the Division 2 title with a 34-21 win over Murdoch in nasty winter conditions at East Side Eagles field. 

But to say that Springfield’s rise to WHSFL greatness over the last few years has been easy would be incorrect. It took time, patience and full-fledged commitment from each player on the roster. This became far more critical after week one, when the Sabres, originally placed in Division 3, moved up a tier after a 34-6 victory over newly-founded John Taylor. 

The following two months saw the Sabres come from behind on three different occasions, including in the semi-finals against a high-powered Elmwood offence where they won despite not having a starting tackle or tight end. When one man stepped down, another stood up because they were prepared to do so. 

“Of course we had injuries, surprises and moments where it felt like the wheels might come off the bus. However, for such a young and new group of players, this season was particularly remarkable,” reflected Walls in the team’s December newsletter at the end of the season. 

“It was predictable because the things we are doing at Springfield are different than in other schools. By shaping a year-round program which offers students more than just a season of sport, we create an atmosphere where players invest themselves wholly in the process. When players are part of a program and not just a team, they have a far greater chance to do things like move up a division and still go undefeated.”

Building a winning culture 

Springfield’s year-round programming includes offseason strength and speed workouts, as well as Sabres Nights, which feature numerous team-building activities to help increase rappor. There’s also indoor practices and spring and summer camps. New this year will be a midnight practice to start the fall season, while the annual candle ceremony will continue.

The candle ceremony is the program’s final team-building activity of the year. Grade 12 players are given a candle at the start of the season. They put their number, and a word that represented them, on the candle.  At the end of the year, they pass that candle onto an underclassman who they feel can represent that word. That player then continues on the tradition, which fosters a team-first environment and commitment to accountability. 

For example, at the end of the 2021 campaign, guard Ben Armstrong – one of the team’s captains who set the tempo for the group up front – wrote the word ‘leader.’ He then passed his candle onto sophomore Mason Harmatiuk, one of three different Sabres backs to score in the championship against Murdoch. 

For Armstrong, the term ‘leader’ was fitting. Walls noted that he “practiced like his hair was on fire” every day, and he set the tone for the rest of the group. Blocking is critical in any offence, but it’s particularly valued to Walls and his coaching staff. In the Sabres’ system-based offence, controlling the line of scrimmage and keeping the opposing defence on their toes with misdirection is key. 

Players can attack from anywhere on the field, with a variety of weapons available at Walls’ disposal. Take the team’s run game for example, where five different ball carriers combined for over 1800 yards, showcasing Springfield’s versatility but also their stable protection up front, which, including Amstrong, commonly featured seven players at the line of scrimmage.

 “Coach Tom, I think of him as a father figure honestly. He’s always there. He gives us three ‘r’s: respect, responsibility and resiliency. I feel like that plays a huge role and keeps us in line,” said Armstrong.

“We are really good with our offence, because we are given a job. We have rules on the field, it’s not just run forward, go get the ball. Everybody has a systematic job, and if they mess up, the next guy is ready to fill in because they know their job. It’s about having the power to take over for another teammate if they’re down.”

Fellow senior Malachi Hickey, a game-changing running back and slotback with excellent vision, smooth strides and breakaway speed, can attest to the core value of resiliency. He played football when he was younger and was well known for his speed, but anxiety got in the way of his progress. He left the sport for a while because of it, but in 2019 he decided to give football another try and fell in love with the culture at Springfield. 

The fun he had, both on and off the field, helped remedy his internal struggles and gave him more confidence. This past year he took another huge step in his development, and was the catalyst for the Sabres’ championship win, scoring the first two majors for his team after putting on the afterburners on two long runs in a snow-filled affair. 

“Before I started, I had such bad anxiety, and I find this is such a great way to clear everything out of your mind. Even when I go to practice, seeing them all is like seeing my family. It just clears my mind. I just have the best time of my life when I’m at practice,” he said postgame. 

“This was my last year, these are my brothers and sisters. I would bleed for any single one of them. I don’t have words for what just happened. I’m just in shock completely still.”

While the Sabres will graduate 13 seniors, they still have a young, promising roster to build on for 2022. One day at a time, brick by brick, they’ll look to defend their crown in 2022. 

“As we go into the 2022 season, I have no reason to think our success will change,” said Walls. “Despite the loss of 13 grade 12s, I am still optimistic about our success because the process will not be changing.”

Entering the 2021 WHSFL season, West Kildonan head coach Russell Wallace, much like the rest of the league, didn’t really know what his roster would look like. The COVID-19 pandemic had cancelled the 2020 season, meaning that the vast majority of league rosters would include players whose most recent season was in grade ten. In the case of the Wolverines, only five players were returning from 2019 and therefore Wallace had his work cut out for him in terms of fielding a roster that would be competitive at the Division 3 level. 

Thankfully, West K’s hallways are filled with multi-sport athletes, and with that in mind, Wallace did his due diligence in recruiting players from within the school. It’s safe to say the work paid off for the Wolverines, who bonded as a group and ran the table in the playoffs en route to the league title. 

“I was going down the hallways saying hey, if you’re interested in football, come out. Here’s the time. I didn’t really hear back from those players. Then, on the first day of camp we had I think 51 players out,” he noted.

“Normally we’ll have a high number out and then players will kind of say no, this isn’t for me and kind of fade away to other sports, which is fine. Football is not for everyone, but nine weeks later our roster still sat at 46 players. It’s the highest number in our team’s history. Those are hockey players, volleyball players and soccer players. Multi-sport athletes who are still committing to football.”

Amongst the group of rookies was running back Dawson Berganini, who led the Wolverines with 762 rushing yards in five regular season games, utilizing his excellent game speed to get the edge on a number of occasions. He, along with slotback and fellow hockey player Logan Poloway – the team’s leading receiver who had 219 yards against Maples late in the year – were just a few of the multi-sport weapons that West K had at their disposal. 

Veteran presence 

But let’s not get carried away here. The Wolverines, who went 3-2 in the regular season before knocking off Maples and top-seeded John Taylor in the championship, were successful in large part because of the veterans they had in key spots. 

On defence that included former Rookie of the Yeah Noah Hrabi, who led the team with 63 total tackles at linebacker. On offence the conversation started and ended with 6’0” 180-pound senior quarterback Connor Machum, the team’s starter since grade ten who took over following the graduation of his older brother and fellow WHSFL champion Devon. 

Connor, whose roots can be traced to the North Winnipeg Nomads Football Club, began playing football when he was six and right from the jump he knew he wanted to be a signal-caller and follow in his brother’s footsteps. 

“[Devon] kind of inspired me to get into football when I saw him play. I just wanted to try it out, and I looked and saw that there was one guy who controlled the whole field and that was the quarterback and I said I wanted to be that guy. I started training and I just fell in love with throwing the ball. I just kept working and working until I got to high school.”

Machum had a successful debut in grade ten, as West K advanced to the Heavy Metal Bowl, but were unable to emerge victorious. Taking it upon himself, as leaders do, Machum went to work. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic halting his junior year, he continued to grind, attending camps such as Big Air Academy while also working on his acceleration and strength.

“I didn’t want to lose again so I started hitting the gym. I mostly worked on speed with [alumni] Devon Young and went to some quarterback camps. I’m pretty proud of myself because I didn’t take any days off. It’s a grind not only to win a championship but also to get an offer to the next level.”

When the 2021 campaign came around, Machum was ready. He didn’t miss a snap, practice or game all year and with the help of offensive coordinator Ryan Scott, the pair executed a diverse offensive game plan that took advantage of the group’s multi-sport athletes. 

“[Scott’s] a great coach. He finds out everyone’s strengths and weaknesses so that way he knows which plays to put in,” Machum noted. “A lot of these boys are hockey kids and multi-sport athletes. When they got their names called they ran the ball well, and they’re good with their assignments with blocking. We had that team chemistry and morale was high so we just clicked.”

Machum finished with a 60 percent completion rate on the year and close to 800 yards passing, but also got it done on the ground with 221 yards. In that regard, Scott gave Machum the freedom to run when needed, where he was able to showcase all the hard work he’d put in with Young. 

Perhaps the best example of Machum’s versatility and toughness came against Maples in the playoffs, where he kept the ball off tackle on a read option play, bouncing off of three defenders for a gain of 25. At no point did Machum look to slide. Instead, in the case of one defender, he met him head on, kept a level base and exploded for another ten yards. 

“We had a lot of fast players and during the season they got tired because it was a different sport,” recalled the pivot. “It helped them a lot when they got to stretch and I would take the ball and run so they could get a little breather for a play.”

Interestingly, the team’s best showing through the air came in a 37-29 week four loss to John Taylor in a battle for first place. It was there that Machum broke the Division 3 single-game passing yards record after throwing for 361 yards on the day. Four different players had at least one grab in the contest, including Poloway, who led the group with 104 yards on four catches and a score. 

“They got the ball first and they scored really quickly through the air. With me being really competitive and wanting to be the best out there, I said no, I need to show this QB what’s up. I just went in there and started throwing. We ran a lot of power and were throwing the ball really well and stuck with it.”

A shot at redemption in the snow 

West K got their chance at redemption just a few weeks later when they took on the Pipers in a snow-filled affair at Nomads Field, Machum’s old stomping grounds. The Wolverines burst out of the gate with a commanding run game, led by Berganini, who had all but one of the team’s majors on the day and was named game MVP. It was 32-0 at the half, but Machum made sure his squad didn’t let up en route to a 42-12 win. 

“[Scott], he told me he didn’t want me to throw a lot. It wasn’t because I couldn’t throw in the conditions, I threw a bit, but John Taylor had a really strong offence and we wanted to stick to our run game so we could take control of the time of possession. We kept the ball on the ground, kept getting first downs and it worked out for us,” Machum says. 

“Even when we were up, I wasn’t thinking that we had already won. I told the team we had to keep our foot on the gas pedal and that we couldn’t let up. Eventually in the fourth we were all comfortable and we were just clicking. I made sure the team wasn’t too cocky or getting ahead of ourselves until the final whistle.”

The victory served as redemption for Machum and a stellar way to end his career. He’s been invited to the Winnipeg Rifles’ rookie camp in March where he’ll look to take the next step in his career. 

For Wallace, the page now turns to 2022. With a steady amount of players eligible to return, including a variety of multi-sport athletes, the future is certainly bright. 

“We had a great group of young players, inexperienced players, but we had our vets in the right positions where we’ve had some success. We’re looking to build on those younger players for future years.”

Class of 2024 running back Augustine Nkundimana understands the value of hard work. It’s been a trademark in his life and will surely continue as he matures. His work ethic can be traced to his roots in Africa. He was originally born in Burundi, but moved to Tanzania with his parents because of an ongoing war.

Nkundimana lived in a refugee camp for ten years while in Tanzania, where he picked up odd jobs at a very young age to help his family. 

“I started working when I was eight years old. It was tiring,” he says humbly. “My dad told me to stop, because it was hard for me, because I was still young. He told me to start working with him, because he would give me lighter work. He owned a motorcycle business, so he would get me to check people’s names off when they brought their bikes back.”

When Nkundimana wasn’t working, he was either attending school or playing soccer, a necessity to get exercise. An incredibly quick striker, he rose to the challenge against older competition.

“There was no football or basketball, so we basically just played soccer. It was all older guys, but I still got into it. We had to make our own league. Every street would pick their best players and they would play. It would go until whoever won the championship. All of the teams would bring money, they’d pool it together and whoever won would take the money.”

Playing footy was a fun pastime for the quiet but gifted athlete, who made friends and gained confidence through the sport. When he moved to Canada five years ago, his athletic ventures expanded thanks to football. In grade six, some of his classmates saw how fast he was and suggested he try the game out. 

Admittedly, Nkundimana was scared to play tackle football, so he started with flag where he lined up as a receiver. He had a solid introduction to the game, and in grade ten chose to face his fears by signing up to play on Dakota’s junior varsity team.

“I didn’t like getting hit, but this year I just wanted to try it, so that I could feel like I was taking a risk,” he says. “At first, I thought the pads were going to be heavy, like putting weight on your body, but I honestly loved the game.”

Because of his speed it was natural that Nkundimana chose to run the rock. Offensive coordinator Barry Berard helped him work on his fundamentals, as did his teammates, such as fellow ball-carrier John Boubard, who Nkundimana described as “a second teacher.” It also helped having a dominant offensive line which anchored a Lancers team that averaged 49.25 points per game. 

Admittedly, Nkundimana was intimidated at first, but a 54-18 win in week one where he scored three majors helped boost his confidence. The running back stood out due to his speed, vision and one-cut abilities, and he never got tired. He was used as the team’s lead rusher in a three-back set and was also a returner, scoring more than 25 majors on the year, including a whopping six against Vincent Massey in week three. 

“There was this thing that sort of switched in his mind right after the first game. There was much more confidence and swagger when he was carrying the ball,” noted head coach Abbas Butt. 

“He’s very coachable, and I think that’s what makes him so successful. It’s been a blessing for us, because we ask him to do something and he just goes out and does it.”

Nkundimana was a major reason why the Lancers went undefeated in the regular season, and he didn’t stop in the WHSFL final, scoring four times – twice on the ground, once through the air and once on a return – as Dakota secured their first JV championship with a 55-24 win over Oak Park.

Berard sees Nkundimana’s potential, and feels that he can be the league’s best back at the varsity level over the next two seasons. Butt agrees, noting that it was a “pleasure” watching him turn into a game-changer in year one. 

“A kid this young can move like that? That’s what came to my mind. He just all of a sudden decided to play football one year, and how serious and committed he is to the sport now, it’s pretty cool to see that. Just being a part of it has been fun, and I know he’s hopefully going to go very far with his skill. Getting him started at this level has been awesome and I know he’s going to do great things next year at the varsity level.”

And for the young ball-carrier, it’s safe to say that he’s no longer intimidated by the sport.  

“It’s taught me how to be patient. I thought I knew everything, but I didn’t. It really means a lot, because it takes a lot of guts to stay with football and play football. I’ve seen other people quit, because it’s a hard sport, so staying with it has taught me a lot about myself.”

By: Mike Still (@mikestill94)

St. John’s running back Jacob Mpoyo recently finished off an impressive high school career filled with countless successes. He started for the team in grade nine, helping the school win their first WHSFL title since 1980, and combined for 1,666 all-purpose yards between his grade ten and 12 seasons (2020 season was cancelled due to COVID-19). Throughout his career, he was known as a fearless north-south ball-carrier who rarely went down on first contact, and he’s rightfully earned looks at the next level, specifically from the Winnipeg Rifles.

Mpoyo’s progression as a ball-carrier is a testament to the quality of coaching he received while with the Tigers, but it also speaks to his resiliency and work ethic in learning a new skill. Prior to 2017, Mpoyo’s main passion was soccer, a sport he’d grown up playing in Africa. It consumed most of his time, occasionally to his detriment.

“I was born in the Congo, and my family escaped from a war in Congo and came to Zambia in a refugee camp. I had a messed up childhood. I was never listening,” he says.

“I was getting whooped every day. I got whooped at school and I got whooped at home. At school I would be so loud in class, and I got into fights. I would argue about stuff a lot. After school was done, I never went straight home. I went to play soccer and got home really late. I had a dream to be like Cristiano Rinaldo. I used to like playing right wing and left wing, because I used to watch [Lionel] Messi and Ronaldo a lot and they played on the wing.”

An “outgoing and energetic person,” playing soccer helped Mpoyo make friends, both in Africa and in Canada, which he and his family of seven moved to when he was ten as part of the United Nations’ sponsorship program.

“They pick your name and tell you what country you’ll be going to in a few years. I got lucky because we were coming to Canada. At first I was really happy. When I got off the plane, I thought the snow was a decoration,” he chuckled. “I remember touching it, and it wasn’t cold. And then in the morning when I woke up, I went outside and touched it and it was cold. That was my first time ever seeing snow.”

Definitely not tag  

In grade six, Mpoyo was introduced to football for the first time through his soccer coach. He was fascinated by what he saw, and wanted to try it out, not knowing what he was getting into at the time.

“My soccer coach took me to a Bombers game and I thought that football was tag. And then I was like okay, I can probably do that. That’s what I was thinking,” he noted.

“When I came to St. John’s, I saw them playing it and I talked to [head coach] coach [Grant] McMillan and I asked if I could try out for the team. I was in grade eight. He told me I was too young, and then I lied to him and told him I was in grade nine. I tried to sneak onto the football team and I got rammed by [offensive lineman] Rain Slater and I quit football. I didn’t know what I was doing. I thought it was tag until he ran me over.”

For the sake of context, Slater was 6’4” and well over 300 pounds in high school and later committed to play for the University of Manitoba, so it’s safe to say Mpoyo got an alarming wake-up call to the game.  

Instead of giving up, Mpoyo worked to get better. He trained in the offseason and when his grade nine season in 2018 arrived, he started to understand the playbook further. The Tigers went 6-1 in the regular season, thanks to a dynamic passing attack that included Asher Wood and Jaron Yakimishyn at receiver, while Mpoyo contributed over 200 yards on the ground, improving with each game.

The Tigers advanced to the final that year, where they faced an Elmwood team that handed them their only loss of the regular season. In a snowy affair, Mpoyo shone, recording his best statistical game of the season with over 100 rushing yards. His defining moment came on the team’s game-winning drive where he ran the ball up the middle on almost every play, tallying over 60 yards and nearly eight yards per carry as the Tigers won 13-10.

Mpoyo’s fearlessness was a credit to running backs coach Brian Marks, the WHSFL’s JV commissioner and a household name in the community, both as a player and coach for countless decades.

“[Marks] made me understand what type of sport it was, and he taught me how to be tough and get physical,” says Mpoyo. “I used to be someone who was always afraid of contact, and he took that away. I used to try and always fake everyone out, and I always ran away from contact, but now it’s changed. He helped out a lot with my footwork and basically made me the running back that I am now. All the credit goes to him.”

Winning the championship helped Mpoyo gain further confidence in himself, both on and off the field. He was also lifted up by the team’s leaders, such as Nick Wakos, Wood, Yakimishyn and Chase Kaminski.

“The leaders on the team were amazing. They would hype be up after every play. They made me start feeling the love for football. The o-line would be turning me up even when I only picked up a few yards. They helped me gain confidence and love football even more than soccer. I don’t even play soccer anymore. I fell in love with football because of them. It was an amazing group.”

Overcoming adversity on and off the field 

In grade ten, Mpoyo and the Tigers moved up to Division 2, which was quite the jump considering the team’s roster size and overall level of experience. Nonetheless, they won their first two games and advanced to the playoffs.

The 5’10”, 205-pounder was part of an efficient run game that also included Joshua Farber, a powerful freshman who’d previously been a provincial champion with the North Winnipeg Nomads and represented Manitoba at the U16 level. Mpoyo and Farber combined for 710 rushing yards and were also two of the squad’s best defenders, tallying 38 tackles.

In 2020, Mpoyo endured a different type of adversity. He contracted COVID-19 and was on the shelf for three weeks. He also lost his sense of taste for four months and dropped to 180 pounds. Despite this, he still practiced as much as he could and did workouts with his dad.

Additionally, Mpoyo was supported by the Rising Stars Foundation (RSF), a Manitoba non-profit corporation that “enriches those from underserved communities by supporting, developing and mentoring young student leaders from all backgrounds.” It was through the RSF that Mpoyo was able to work on his agility and quickness while also gaining practical life skills.

“We were doing speed drills without any equipment. I took those speed drills and during COVID I would do them on my own. I took a lot from the Rising Stars. I met a lot of good people that I could always call any time I needed help. They’ve given me a lot of chances in life. They’re always there to support me. Any time I need anything I shoot a text off to coach Wilfred [Samking]. I’m glad that we having Rising Stars.”

Stepping up 

This past year, Mpoyo and Farber handled most of the load again for the Tigers, who played in Division 3. With Mpoyo primarily running the offence from the wildcat, the duo combined for 1,784 yards and 16 majors as one of the league’s most potent rushing attacks. Each back had the capability to take over games. Farber rushed for 313 yards and four scores against West Kildonan, while Mpoyo had over 200 yards in multiple games and also led the team in tackles, with 42.

“It was different this year. Josh Farber and I were the only captains and I did pretty good at stepping up,” he says. “I was pumped. It was fun. After two years of not putting on pads and no contact, it was crazy. At the same time, there were a lot of new players who hadn’t played football, so it was kind of different. I had to explain what football was to them because there were only three players on the team who had played football before.”

Because Mpoyo understood where the newer players were coming from, he was able to help them grasp a handle on the game. It was fun shift from previous years and an example of the game coming full circle.

“The difference was that they understood football faster than I did,” he laughed. “It took me at least a year but they caught on quickly, which was great.”

With his high school journey now over, Mpoyo looks forward to taking the next step in his career. The game has given him so much in a short time, and he’s thankful for the man he’s become as a result.

“Football has provided a lot honestly. It gave me a lot of responsibility. Before I never really strived for my goals. Soccer, I was always really gifted so I didn’t really practice, but football, waking up early in the morning, hitting the gym in the summer, I had never been doing that. Before I used to sleep in a lot, but just because of football I started waking up early. I developed as a man and became a better member of society and a better leader too. I have a lot of things to thank football for. It’s made me a great leader in the community.”

On Monday night, the Grant Park Pirates will take on Vincent Massey Collegiate with the ANAVETS Bowl on the line. Under Kelsey McKay, the Trojans have won the Division 1 title twice in their school’s history, while the Pirates are looking for their first top-tier championship and fourth overall. And while the Pirates are back in the Division 1 championship for the first time since 2003, make no mistake about it, they’re by no means the underdog in this game. 

Grant Park, the No. 1 seed, are 5-0 on the season, including two wins over powerhouse St. Paul’s. Dating back to 2019, when Grant Park won the JV championship, their current cohort is 14-0 and will look to complete the most impressive run in school history (the 2010-12 cohort advanced to the JV final in grade ten, won the D2 championship in 2011 and advanced to the finals in 2012) with a victory against VMC at East Side at 7 p.m. 

Leading the charge all season has been the Pirates ferocious defence. All 12 players, along with the team’s backups, bring a physical edge to their game and can stop opponents in their tracks at the line of scrimmage. Grant Park hasn’t allowed more than 15 points all season, and it starts with up front, with the likes of Kyle Watt – a former captain for Team Manitoba at the U16 level who some feel is the best overall player in Division 1 – as well as Carlito Ardiles, a former bantam champ with Valour, Tiano Pasta, one of the league’s best edge rushers and Nathaniel Lisak, a 6’2”, 285-pound menace who commands the interior. 

Of the four players mentioned, it’s Lisak’s progression on the field that stands out. The ultimate competitor, he previously participated in figure skating, basketball and shotput before finding his niche on the gridiron in the spring of grade eight. Blessed with natural athleticism, speed, raw power and self-described “violence and nastiness,” he thrives in his position and has a competitive edge that any school would love. 

“Especially when we do one-on-ones in practice, when I lose a rep, I want that guy right after because I want to make sure that I can beat him. That’s I think, one of the biggest parts that’s helped me get so good,” he says. 

“I didn’t know football at all, so I used my competitive edge to learn as much as possible and get as big, fast and strong as I could, since I was already behind a lot of the better players because they’d been playing football since they were seven. I had to compete more than them every day just to catch up to them, and if I am better than them, I have to compete to make sure that I stay better than them.”

Nonstop work ethic

Lisak’s growth as a player is directly tied to his competitiveness and work ethic. After grade nine, a loss in the JV finals to the Trojans, he vowed to do everything he could to help the team win a championship the following year. Thanks to some tutelage from former coach Brett MacFarlane, he dedicated himself to the weight room and furthered his football IQ. The results were evident. 

In grade ten, Grant Park ran the table to win their first-ever JV title, with Lisak showcasing the power and aggressiveness that he’d been working on behind the scenes. He can now squat over 500 pounds and can power clean three plates. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and he lost his grade 11 season, he continued to grind, as did his teammates. 

“I think especially with us going undefeated this year, a big part of it was that we didn’t break off when COVID started. We were still talking with each other every day in our group chat, we saw each other in the halls, we tried to train with each other following COVID restrictions, and just make sure that everything was okay. I think it ended up paying off when training camp started, because we still had the same team chemistry, if not stronger than before.”

Lisak – a dedicated student with a 4.0 GPA who has multiple U SPORTS offers – is a self-admitted “performer” on the field who thrives in big games. He had seven tackles, five of which were for a loss, and a fumble recovery in Grant Park’s 11-7 win over Massey earlier in the season, along with 4.5 tackles, one of which was for a loss, and a forced fumble in the team’s regular season game against St. Paul’s. He anchors the line of scrimmage, but also has a motor that doesn’t stop, which is a testament to the speed work put in with Glenn Bruce. 

“I like to get the other team on edge and get the fans involved and stuff like that. Mixing that with also being silent and putting in the work alone, helps me a lot,” he says. “You work in silence, but you celebrate so everyone can see.”

Lisak is one of 19 seniors on the roster this season, which also includes the likes of Watt, Pasta, fellow team captains Seth Chizda and Solomon Bond, defensive back Junior Munyaka, running back Coen Graham and receiver Mick Derosa. It’s a tight-knit roster that’s carried a chip on their shoulder ever since coming to high school, and the results speak for themselves. 

“As much as our team works hard, we also got lucky with the group of guys that we have. We just have so much raw talent,” Lisak says. “With football players, especially in Winnipeg, they try to go to the good football schools but that wasn’t really us. After we were established, we just kind of kept our group together and I think that’s one of our biggest aspects, especially with us going undefeated this year.”

In order to complete a historic career, Lisak and company will need to knock off Massey for a second time, a feat that doesn’t happen often. The Trojans have an electric offence that can strike at a moment’s notice and Grant Park will have to be at their best. Nonetheless, it’s safe to say Lisak will be ready. 

“Honestly, just coming back from COVID, I think everyone was just really excited about playing football. With me especially, it’s a big rush because it’s grade 12. I’m trying to put myself out there to make sure that I’m being seen as one of the best players in the country. If I’m helping the team win, and by the end of the season we could have a ring on our finger, I think that’s just the best part, especially being the first team to do that at Division 1.”

Manitoba Bisons receiver Nathan Udoh, a former soccer player who started playing football when he was 17, put on a show during his brief WHSFL career. The 6’2”, 185-pounder won a CTV Bowl with Miles Mac in 2019, recording a team-leading 336 yards, along with 238 punt return yards. And while Udoh received stellar coaching from Buckeyes head coach Dan Washnuk and his staff, the building blocks for his development can be traced to Manitoba’s High Performance U18 program. 

The premier-level soccer player signed up for Team ‘Toba in the summer of 2019 following the suggestion of a friend. His hope was to get his name out to scouts, as he was new to the game, while also developing his skill-set. 

Manitoba’s receivers coach that year was the late Scott Naujoks, a St. Paul’s, Winnipeg Rifles and Manitoba Bisons alum who was a household name in the province. Over the years, Naujoks, who coached for the Crusaders and later the Bisons, earned the respect and admiration of all, due to his outgoing personality and unwavering belief in those that he mentored. He saw the potential in everyone, regardless of past experience, and that included Udoh, an athletic, but raw prospect who was selected to the team’s roster for that year’s Canada Cup.

“Once we got onto the field, [Naujoks] gathered all the receivers up and said ‘I don’t care if you run a 4.5 or jump out of the gym. I want to see good routes.’ Automatically, I was like aw, darn. I just had my athleticism going for me, I didn’t know much about the position of receiver. I definitely know that he took a chance on me,” recalled Udoh.

“He saw something that I definitely didn’t see in myself. I thought I was getting cut in the first phase. I wasn’t technically sound, I didn’t have all of the training that some guys had since they started at 8-12 years old and I just started at 17. He definitely took a chance on me and that’s something that I could never repay him for.”

As Udoh progressed through the various stages of tryouts, his game slowly improved. Naujoks taught him how to use his tall frame to his advantage, while also thinking about the game in a more calculated manner. 

“He’d always tell me that maybe I was playing too timid or I wasn’t using my physicality or playing with enough speed. He definitely helped with the route-running for sure, but it would also be if the defender is doing this, what can you do to adjust? At this level, you can’t just run in a straight line. There has to be something, and that was what he would teach me. It was scenarios basically. The scenarios he would give me were huge. When I see them on the field, it’s like okay I know what I can do.”

Naujoks helps Wyke put it all together 

River East alum Reece Wyke, another soccer star who didn’t play football until grade nine, can attest to Udoh’s comments. The speedy receiver had played the position for the few years prior to 2019 and won a CTV Bowl in 2018, but his game wasn’t necessarily refined. 

“I didn’t make a lot of catches, and the only thing I ran was go-routes,” he says. “[Quarterback] Sam [Hezekiah] would get the ball, and he’d look at me, and if I thought I could get past the guy, I’d give him a head nod or something and he’d literally be like yeah bro, go get open and he’d throw me a 40-yard go-route. That was the only ball I’d catch.”

Nonetheless, Wyke still made a difference. He was exceptional in the kicking department and had a spectacular game in the Division 2 championship, helping the Kodiaks win their first title in two decades. In the summer of 2019, Wyke put it all together thanks to the U18 provincial team. 

Former River East head coach Sean Oleksewycz convinced him to try out for Team Manitoba as a kicker, however all of the phase one practices were inside, so there wasn’t an opportunity to boot the pigskin. With his down time, he took reps at receiver, where he was moulded by Naujoks. 

“At the start of camp, I barely knew what a route tree was. Learning the route tree was the first thing Scott was really big on. I home went with the playbook every night and went through the routes,” he says. 

“I kept dropping the balls, because I had guys like Te Jessie and Sawyer [Thiessen] throwing, and they pack a little more heat. [Naujoks] showed me how to watch the ball and tuck it in after.”

Wyke impressed enough to earn a backup slotback spot for ‘Toba, while also returning kicks and providing kickoff and field goal duties. At the tournament, the spotlight was thrust on him much quicker than he’d expected following a broken collarbone suffered by Udoh.

In challenging times, Naujoks was there for both players. For Udoh, the positional coach served as a sounding board and support despite a tough setback. 

“Scott, he was there. He’d check in on me. He knew that I was struggling with it,” recalled Udoh. “I also have to give a huge shout out to Jeffrey Bannon. He was absolutely immense. He was someone I looked to, whether it was to go back home or to stay the rest of the trip, and with the combination of the two of them, I decided to stay. I’m so happy with my decision. Throughout that injury, [Naujoks] would check up on me and give me updates. His support was immense.”

For Wyke, he was a mentor, offering encouragement and trust as the versatile playmaker transitioned into the starting lineup. He made sure that the River East alum was prepared, specifically with reference to his route running. 

In the consolation final against BC, Wyke went off. The game plan was to get him the ball, and it worked. The dynamic playmaker had five receptions for just under 100 yards, utilizing his speed on drag routes and jet sweeps while also recording a 30-yard reception in single coverage. He also iced the game for ‘Toba late following a 50-plus yard kick return where he slashed between defenders down the left sideline. He was named Manitoba’s Player of the Game, and on his birthday no less.

“I felt like a completely different player,” he says. 

“When you’re playing receiver, there’s different foot patterns you have to follow. If I’m running a slant, I want to dig my foot in really quick. If I’m running a stop-and-go, I want to slow my momentum but keep my feet moving, and if I’m running a corner, I want it to look like I’m running a post, and then stick it back to the corner really quick. Little things like that got me open a lot more. That was probably one of the biggest things [Naujoks] helped with during the tournament.”

Showcasing their skills 

When the pair of dynamic athletes returned to their respective teams for the 2019 season, the game began to slow down. Wyke made plays all over the field and was named a league all-star at the Division 1 level, while Udoh was selected as the Division 2 Bomber Alumni Most Outstanding Player. 

The Valley Huskers took notice of Wyke’s abilities, and this past year he made his CJFL debut as both a receiver and a returner. It’s an impressive progression for a guy who didn’t think he was going to make Team Manitoba when he first tried out, let alone play at the next level. Yet again, it speaks to the belief Naujoks and others had in him. 

“I went into [tryouts] thinking there was no way I would make the team, but by the end I felt like I could really do something in football. I’d always been a soccer player my whole life, but that’s kind of when I saw that I could do something in football. I got so much better in such a short amount of time. The provincial team training was the biggest thing for me, the way the coaches pushed me. It was so much different than high school. I liked that level of football.”

Udoh’s career also continued after high school, as he signed with the Manitoba Bisons. He has Naujoks and U18 head coach Ryan Karhut – the Herd’s special teams coordinator and offensive line coach – to thank, in part.

“Coming into football, you don’t know what to expect. This is a bang-bang game and I needed a rock. I’d say coach Karhut definitely played a factor in that. He was huge in the recruiting process, and Scott too. He was just amazing. He was there every step of the way, whether it was Team Manitoba, my recruiting process, even being here with the Bisons. He was there all the way until the end,” Udoh recalled.

“He knew that I didn’t know much about the game, so he didn’t coach me the way he’d coach other receivers. He took his time with me. He explained stuff and depicted things and taught me the ways of a receiver. He was huge. I’m sure he stuck his neck out to get me here, so I’m just paying him back. I want to come through with the belief that he has in me too. I love coach Karhut and coach Naujoks, they were great for me.”

When Famous Aghayere moved to Canada from Nigeria in 2019, he knew right away that he wanted to play football.

“I remember when I was in Nigeria, my friends and I would always watch little clips of NFL players and just football in general. Some of us would be like oh, it looks easy. All you have to do is run and make people miss, basically. We didn’t know the rules,” he said with a chuckle. 

“Then, my sister’s friend, her brother was on the team, [quarterback[ Valentine [Adedeji-Afeye], who recently got to Canada a few years before I did. I was like, you know what, let me join.”

Aghayere went to practices all summer and played in the team’s first four games of the 2019 season as a defensive back, but left the squad before the season ended. He was slacking off in school, and wanted to focus on his academics, but he also admitted that he was simply “being lazy” and at times selfish. 

He told head coach John Kiesman, a former ANAVETS Bowl champion and U SPORTS quarterback, that he was hurt, but Kiesman could tell he was lying. Instead of giving up on Aghayere, the bench boss kept encouraging him, insisting that the sport could teach him valuable lessons, both on and off the gridiron, while also providing an opportunity for opportunities after high school. 

After taking some time to reflect, Aghayere returned to the team in grade 11, noting that “I wanted to prove myself and I didn’t want to quit.” He spent the winter doing workouts and speed training with the team, but was dealt a significant blow when the tackle season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In the past, Aghayere might’ve folded up shop, knowing that there wasn’t going to be a season, but not this time. With the words of his head coach still entrenched in his mind, he went to work in the summer. Alumni Stephen Ugbah and Andrew Ricard, both of whom played U SPORTS football after high school, were critical mentors during this time and reiterated key values of determination, commitment and hard work, even through tough times. 

“I think the biggest thing is just helping them realize their potential. When I was a young kid, I was looking for ways to challenge myself and I didn’t want to do just the bare minimum. Some of these kids are that way. It’s just great to be able to help them realize if they really want to play university ball, yeah it’s going to be hard work, but if you want to do that, you can,” Ricard said. 

“If they have role models in their life who tell them hey, you can do this, they most likely will go chase it. But if they have people who are like oh, nah, then they won’t, because they won’t have the confidence to go chase it. It’s just about helping challenge themselves more and more.”

Ugbah was particularly critical in Aghayere’s development as a receiver. The fellow Nigeria native, who worked with the team three times a week in the morning, helped him learn to catch the ball with his hands instead of his body. In terms of his coaching style, he was stern, but fair for a squad that featured a number of first-year international players.

“We all have similar backgrounds. Some are from Nigeria and most of them are immigrants. I let them know this is how it’s going to be. No one is going to give them anything, you have to earn everything. When they aren’t playing as good as I think they can – I’m not going to expect unreasonable – but when they’re not showing up on time or busting a coverage, I’m going to get on you. I’m like that whether they’re a senior or a grade ten.”

That fall and the following summer, Aghayere tested his skills as a member of the G-Men in the Pro Prep Flag Football League. Lining up at receiver and running back, he dealt with growing pains during the league’s inaugural season in September of 2020. If he wasn’t thrown the ball or if he or a teammate messed up, he’d get frustrated and lose his temper. But week after week, his composure improved. 

By the time the summer league came around, Aghayere was a game-changer. A track and field sprinter during his teenage years in Nigeria, he flashed his speed all season long and was named an all-star at receiver. More importantly, he developed chemistry with his teammates, which included fellow all-star Adedeji-Afeye, who’d developed into a mature quarterback after never playing the position prior to 2020. The G-Men overcame a tough start to the season and wound up winning the summer league thanks in part to the dynamic duo from Nigeria. 

“The team was important, obviously. I felt like it was an opportunity for me and some of my other teammates to prove that we were good, because most of our team was JV players,” Aghayere said. 

“The thing I learned from Pro Prep, is that you can’t doubt people just because of their actions. I remember at the start, we had a lot of problems going on within our team, but we figured it out and some of us manned up and owned up to our mistakes and made up for it by making big plays.”

The return of tackle football 

Tackle football returned this fall, and so did Aghayere, whose attitude towards the game, and life in general, has done a complete 180 since 2019. He was named a captain as a senior, and helped organize 16 weeks worth of morning workouts prior to the season. 

“I realized that I actually cared about people,” he said. 

“Ever since I joined the team, it’s all been a brotherhood and a family. We make sure that we’re there for each other no matter what, and we have each other’s backs. Any time we have a problem within our team, we usually fix it right away. That’s something that I really like. We have a lot of traditions that we want to continue on for future generations, and that’s something that really keeps me inspired.”

On the field, Aghayere has been an unstoppable force. His speed and physicality have been on display all year, including in the team’s 32-6 week one win over Kelvin, where the receiver and running back scored his first-ever touchdown. 

It’s the first of many Aghayere has produced this year, and he doesn’t shy away from contact. In fact, the 5’11”, 170-pound playmaker seeks it out, frequently still-arming defenders while also creating holes for Adedeji-Afeye in wildcat situations. 

“Our very first game against Kelvin, I got my first touchdown and I was so happy. One of my teammate’s dads got a video of it, and I’ll forever cherish that because it was my first-ever touchdown playing tackle football. I still have it saved on my phone,” noted the versatile threat who’s also a returner. 

“I like the energy so much, and I like the physicality and all the mental side. Being patient is something that I’m still getting used to, but I am respectful. I respect my coaches, my teammates, my teachers. I respect Valentine a lot. He’s my quarterback and I have to protect him. I don’t let anyone touch my quarterback.”

Kiesman feels that Aghayere has a future in the sport after high school. More importantly though, he’s seen how the game has helped him develop future skills for life. 

“Aside from his awesome athleticism, it has been great to watch how he has developed as an intense competitor. These past few years he’s done a great job using the fire he has as fuel, not just when he’s on the football field but when he gets up early to train or stays locked in while in class,” he said. 

“I’m proud of how he and the guys in his class have learned the game of football and are playing it the right way. I’m looking forward to seeing them continue to mature and grow into the student-athletes we know they can be.”

Through three weeks of play in the 2021 Winnipeg High School Football League (WHSFL) season, the Murdoch MacKay Clansmen are averaging a ridiculous 339 rushing yards per game. It’s a major reason why the squad sits at 2-1 in the Division 2 standings, and it will be their calling card, especially when the weather starts to get cold. 

Murdoch, which has four seniors on their offensive line, has had success with counters, inside runs and RPOs, creating substantial holes for anyone who runs the rock, including senior Daniel Wilson, who has 903 rushing yards after three weeks. 

Standing at just 5’6” and around 150 pounds, Wilson – who’s been involved in the sport for six years – knows how to use his size to his advantage, and isn’t afraid of contact, something he got used to after playing Division 1 football as a starter in grade ten. 

“I can be shifty,” he says. “If I get the right read, I’ll start chopping my feet real fast and people don’t even know where I’m going. I get five yards of separation.”

At the same time, Wilson, who’s scored seven times including three in a 23-12 win last week over Elmwood, understands and appreciates the work his o-line has been putting in. 

“If I didn’t have my o-line the holes wouldn’t be open. My two big guys over here on the counters, I get ten yards every time. I never get stopped on a counter with these guys up front.”

The “two big guys” Wilson is referring to are the Boucher brothers, Drew and Jordin. Standing at 6’4”, 250, the duo are two of the top prospects in the class of 2022 and have already received offers from Manitoba and Carleton and are also on the radar of McMaster, and many other schools. 

Just like Wilson, the Bouchers started at the D1 level in 2019 for the Clansmen. They’re both alums of Manitoba’s U16 program and put in serious work during the pandemic with Recruit Ready. Jordin’s primary position is on the defensive line, where he can plug and play at end or tackle, while Drew is one of the more athletic players on the offensive line and is also a versatile athlete who can long snap. 

“We weren’t allowed to do one-on-ones for a while, and then last year in May to June, when COVID got a little normal, we were able to go inside. We kind of just hit bags and worked on the fundamentals of football. Taking that whole year off, you’re going to forget even the first two steps off the line,” noted Jordin of the lost 2020 season. 

“Coach [Scott] Barbour, he’s been coaching me for about five years now, ever since I switched to d-line. Going to him for all these years, either at prep camp, Recruit Ready or U16, it’s good to have that same coach all the time and learning from him. He’s a great football coach. In the winter we were able to do one-on-ones and pick that intensity back up, and you’re going against Bisons guys and pounding doing on-on-ones. It’s going to really help you out. You have to go against that big dog and try to better yourself.”

“When we couldn’t do one-on-ones, the biggest thing they had us do was just get in front of guys with our feet, and not our hands. It got our feet fast. That’s the one big thing that I’ve noticed in my game this year. My positioning on the line is ten times better than it was two years ago,” added Drew of the training with RR. 

“I was a little slow off the line and now I’m explosive and way more aggressive. Going up against those Bisons guys, the competition aspect is what makes us better football players. That’s why I really enjoy doing that program.”

By the time the season started, both athletes were ready to go. They didn’t know if they were going to have enough guys to field a team, but managed to do so just in time. Jordin’s numbers on the defensive line have backed up his hard work, as he leads the division with 34 tackles while also adding 3.5 sacks. Drew has added 11 tackles and a sack, and has also blocked three kicks.

“It was coming down to the wire, and we had to make sure we had 30 kids paid by a certain date or we weren’t playing. That first week of September it was really good. It felt good coming in here knowing you wanted to be that big leader on the team, and teaching kids,” said Jordan. “It’s always good to show what you know. It just makes the team that much better, and I think it’s really progressed our team quite well, especially that front seven on defence.”

The Clansmen have a critical battle with undefeated Sisler this Thursday at home, which will be important in determining their place in the standings with just two games left in the regular season. Make no mistake, the run game will play a huge role in the result.

“Daniel we’ve been playing football with him for five years now. It’s just the whole chemistry aspect of things. Our counters work well, our inside runs work well, our RPOs work well,” noted Drew. “I trust that he’s going to make the right read in that backfield and run right off me, or even our other o-linemen, because it’s not just me out there. I’m confident with him. It clearly shows on the stat sheet.”

Over the years, the Manitoba Major Junior Football League (MMJFL) has been home to some of the province’s top football stars. A number of these athletes plied their trade in other leagues, before cementing their legacy in the MMJFL. The storied St. Vital Mustangs program can speak on this topic firsthand. Players like Ray Cruz (Laurier, U SPORTS) and Peter LeClair (Vancouver Island, CJFL) have made St. Vital their home over the last few years and have seen the talent the major league provides on a weekly basis. This year, they’ve been joined by other top-tier players including Jake Richardson (Winnipeg Rifles, CJFL), Ethan Danell (Winnipeg Rifles, CJFL) and Easton Montour (Valley Huskers, CJFL). 

Richardson and Montour, who live together, have been part of a lights-out Mustangs defence that’s undefeated and has been the class of the league through three weeks of play. They haven’t allowed a touchdown in two of those contests, including their last game against defending champs East Side prior to the thanksgiving break, where they shut out a versatile Eagles squad 33-0.

Playing in the MMJFL has rekindled the pair’s love for the game. Richardson was a starter for numerous years for the Rifles, but felt it was time to move on after 2019, while Montour – who had 70.5 tackles as a senior at Sisler High School and was named the Division 1 Defensive Player of the Year – was away from the game following the 2018 season with Valley. 

“I went out to Valley and played out there, but I suffered a couple of concussions which kind of pushed me away from the sport. I just went the work route and was working 9-5. It was actually [Mustangs receiver] Jude Tanghe that told me to come play. They were a week into their practices, and here we are,” says Montour. 

“It feels great. Especially with the group that we’ve got. I’ve got a bunch of friends already from previous teams on this team. It just feels good to be back.”

Montour and Richardson, neither of whom are the biggest athletes on the field, pride themselves on being physical. They’re both exceptional tacklers who set the tone of the game, while Richardson, a halfback, is also a dangerous punt returner. Montour, a SAM linebacker who was highly sought-after by a few different U SPORTS schools, is just as capable in coverage. He’s had an interception in back-to-back weeks, and took one back to the house in the team’s most recent game against the Eagles.

“I definitely like to set the tone as much as possible for sure. It’s just something about blowing up another man that kind of gives you a lot of energy. It’s something that I take pride in,” he says. 

“[On the interception], I was kind of just reading [the quarterback’s] eyes and I knew that I had a slant coming in behind me. His eyes were the giveaway. It was basically just the same position that I caught it last week and the same kind of play, but this time I was able to return it for a touchdown.”

Tomorrow at 3 pm, the Mustangs will host Westman, looking to cap off an undefeated regular season. For Montour, the key in the game and all season has been communication. 

“Our defensive coordinator really emphasizes just doing our jobs and trusting the guy next to us. It’s all about that, and we’re all ballers. We have a solid d-line and a bunch of guys that can come into the rotation, a sweet linebacking corps and our DB corps is awesome as well.”

Click here to read Montour’s background in full. 

Amongst a sea of ANAVETS Bowl regulars including the St. Paul’s Crusaders (most recent title was in 2019), Vincent Massey Trojans (most recent title was in 2018) and Oak Park Raiders (most recent title was in 2014), it’s the Grant Park Pirates who currently hold top spot in the WHSFL’s five-team Division 1 standings. 

The lone 2-0 squad, and on the bye entering week three play, the Pirates beat the Raiders 56-15 in week one, and last Friday they upset the No. 8 nationally-ranked Trojans 11-7 on the road. The win was Grant Park’s first over the program since returning to Division 1 under head Doug Kovacs in 2014, but it means absolutely nothing in the grand scheme of things. Wins, losses and records are not why Kovacs, or any high school coach for that matter is involved in the sport. Instead, it’s about changing lives and empowering student-athletes to be the best they can, while learning core values for life along the way. 

It’s safe to say that Kovacs has gotten the most out of his 2021 group. It’s a team that hasn’t lost a regular season game dating back to their 2019 JV title, and who refuses to fold when faced with adversity. 

A great example came against the Trojans, after senior quarterback and vocal leader Solomon Bond went down with a lower body injury with five minutes to play in the third quarter. Starting halfback Jake Deneka, a class of 2023 product who’s also the team’s long snapper, took over under centre and calmly executed the game-winning drive with just 1:25 to play. 

First, while rolling to his right, he found shifty receiver Mick Derosa for a massive gain into the red zone. Then, Deneka used his legs to get a first down before hitting paydirt on a QB sneak. He was given spectacular protection up front by the likes of two-way standouts Kyle Watt, Tiano Pasta and Nathaniel Lisak, as well as Tom Haight, Ben Keno, Magnus Arnedso and Liam Barker. 

For players like Deneka, the game of football has provided so much. It’s been an avenue to meet new friends and an opportunity to demonstrate commitment to a common goal. When one of those friends, Bond, went down, he took it upon himself to step up, but he wasn’t alone. On every drive, from the end of the third quarter to the fourth, he had his teammates right beside him, pumping him up and supporting him.  

That should come as no surprise to anyone who’s followed along with this group since 2018. When they’re not in class, they’re together, either studying film, playing football or walking to subway to get team meals. It’s a band of brothers who have each other’s backs and who love the game through and through.  

Postgame, with tears in his eyes, Deneka – who didn’t leave the field after Bond went down – reaffirmed the above.

“I am the happiest I’ve ever been man,” he said. 

“What a game. What a team win from everybody. Our defence stepped up, our offence played when they needed to. Amazing. We’re a family. We do everything together. We trust each other, we know what we’re going to do. A minute and half we’re down. The o-line gets together and they have the best game they’ve ever had. 

The mindset on the last drive was to just get in the end zone, just go. We had a big play with Mick and then we just drove the ball in there. Our o-line, on the last play they called Michigan, and I’m like, I don’t know what to do. I’m just taking it. What a heck of a push by [Haight] on the QB sneak. He got me in there. Everyone won us this game.”

The tilt between the two sides was a defensive slugfest. Massey got all kinds of production from their Player of the Game Grayson Williams, a grade 11 linebacker who flew to the football all evening, while the Pirates front four of Pasta, Watt, Lisak and grade 11 defensive end Carlito Ardiles had solid push, recording a number of sacks while keeping senior pivot Luke Thalman on his toes all evening. 

The quartet, along with Deneka and seniors Seth Chizda and Junior Munyaka made their presence felt in big ways, including a Munyaka forced fumble that ended the contest as Massey was driving late. 

Off the field, the group strives to better themselves in many ways, and that’s what really matters to Kovacs. Lisak, a captain who had seven tackles, five of which were for a loss, and a fumble recovery, holds a 95 percent average for example, while Ardiles – a captain at just 15 years old with a motor that never quits – spends his free time coaching the Valour Patriots. He’s also a straight A student taking AP English. 

In fitting fashion, Kovacs had just one thing to say about his team’s win post-game. It’s the same thing he’ll be saying all year, preaching that his squad will let their play do the talking on a week-to-week basis. 

“We did some good things,” he said briefly and with purpose. We knocked some people down.”