FCC2017 PREVIEW: Ontario
Last year, Ontario’s shot at the national championship was dashed in the dying minutes of their semi-final game against Saskatchewan.
Despite winning the bronze medal, the team was reeling from how close they were to gold.
Heading into the 2017 Football Canada Cup in Wolfville, Ontario has changed their approach and game from recent years.
“We gotta be able to run and throw; I think that’s the key to being successful,” commented Ontario Head Coach Glen Mills. “You can’t be one dimensional.”
“Last year and previous years we became one dimensional so it’s very easy for teams to be able to stop you or shut you down.”
Their new approach starts with their quarterback depth. Mills says both of Ontario’s pivots have different styles which will complement each other.
“Ethan is a very dynamic runner,” he assessed. “He’s a very fast and elusive player.”
“He’s one of the best backs we’ve ever seen in regards to the game of football. Connor Lewis can stand back there and wing it around. I think we will be able to play a few different styles which will be very beneficial in a tournament like this. With Ethan in the game, he’s going to make it very difficult for defences. If we have to throw the ball, we have Connor.”
Both quarterbacks will have many options to create plays with on offence. Keon Edwards, Chase Brown and Tanner Nelmes lead a strong group of running backs. Highlighting the receiving core is Justin Pope.
“I think is going to do dynamic things,” Mills added about Pope. “He’s explosive, he’s fast, athletic.”
Defensively, Ontario’s has depth in their front seven. While the secondary is young, Mills says there is a lot of talent there and it is just a matter of time when they adapt to the defensive scheme.
“That’s what this tournament is all about,” he emphasized. “It’s how fast you can get your guys to understand the game and if you can play it very very well.”
“These guys are unfortunately going to make mistakes because they are all from different programs. Sp we got kids from all over the province and you just have to coach them up and hopefully they understand and that we put them in good positions to make plays.”
Ontario has the task of playing host Nova Scotia on Saturday July 8th at 4:00pm.
“That program has been steadily getting better,” Mills said of Nova Scotia. “The athletes they are producing out there are getting better.”
“They’re going to be fired up in their hometown and we have to come out and execute. We have to play our game. We have to play great; we have to fly around the field and get the football.”
While Ontario’s goal remains the same, their new outlook and approach the game is different. It has fuelled motivation as well.
“It’s always been our goal to win the national championship.” Mills expressed. “One thing this year’s team is that we will be physical and we will play every down like its the last down and that’s all that we can expect from our kids.”
“If we do that and we’re fortunate to win then that’s great.”
TEAM ONTARIO
2016 RESULT: defeated Alberta 38-14 to win bronze medal
HEAD COACH: Glen Mills (5th year as Head Coach, has won two bronze, a silver and gold during this stint).
NUMBER OF RETURNING PLAYERS: 5
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
| Name | Pos | High School |
| Ethan Martin | QB | London South |
| Connor Lewis | QB | Thomas A Blakelock |
| Keon Edwards | RB | St. Michael’s College |
| Chase Brown | RB | St. Stephen’s Episcopal |
| Tanner Nelmes | RB | St. James |
| Justin Pope | REC | Holy Names |
| Zach Fry | OL | Regina Mundi |
| Jaden Lattamore | DL | London South |
| Malik Yusuf | LB | Sacred Heart Catholic |
| Matt Williams | DB | Holy Names |
| Brian Garrity | K | Catholic Central |
