As the Ontario football league gets into full swing this weekend, there is one game that has particular meaning. The No. 19 ranked #CFC50 team, Jacob Hespeler, will take on Sir John. A. MacDonald at home this Thursday.
You may recall last year on Nov. 17, one of the Hespeler players, Chris Haas was seriously injured in a horrific motor vehicle accident and ended up losing his right foot. He was told he probably would never play football again. He swore to Head Coach Greg White that he would be back to play for his final year.
#26 DE Chris Haas
On Thursday, this pledge will become a reality as Chris will be suiting up for the Hawks as starting defensive end where he will see the field quite a bit. “We are very excited for Chris. He will lead us out onto the field and start at defensive end for us. He inspires/motivates our guys.”
The Hawks had a pretty excellent week of practice. Following last week’s Jamboree, RB Phillip Piticaru stood out and has been “a nice surprise” according to head coach White.
Their preparation for the game included practicing at tempo with lots of reps. When asked what Hespeler needs to do to stop them offensively, Coach White replied, “Stop the run. They will try and out number at the point of attack.” They will also have to locate LB Jake Surdykowski on SJAM’s side of the ball. “We will be aware of him.”
#18 QB Jackson White
Other players to watch out for for Jacob Hespeler are starting QB Jackson White, REC Devante Hudson, LB Jared Beeksma, and DB Mario Alyas. The Hawks are quite an experienced bunch with many fifth year players and a number of the Grade 11 players that won a junior championship last season.
Their opponent, the Sir John A. MacDonald Highlanders, left last year with a 6-1 regular season record and with their loss in the semis, are looking to get back on the road to the championship.
Like the Hawks, there are a number of 5th year kids coming back to play. Unfortunately, starting QB Ethan Richards was sidelined with an injury that occurred during summer football and will be taking on a role of QB coach for the season. The team has adopted a “next man up philosophy” in light of this and are excited to get the season started.
(Photo credit: Chris Surdykowski)
The Highlanders didn’t do anything differently then they would any other week when asked.
“This is simply week 1 of a long season and we prepare the same way regardless. The mantra this week is play loose. As 3-time defending champions, all of the pressure is on Jacob, not us. We have no pressure so I just keep re-iterating to the fellas that we just need to go out and play loose.” according to Head Coach Josh Alexander.
In order to stop Hespeler on offense, the Highlanders need to play physical and make plays in the secondary. “They have a tremendous QB and always have a few kids who can go up and get the ball. We need to come out hard-nosed up front and be ball hawks on the back end.”
Defensively, SJAM needs their playmakers to make plays. “They have a great linebacker who has a nose for the ball and can cause issues if we aren’t aware of him. They also have a number of kids who play summer football and are well coached.” says Alexander.
Key players to watch will be 5th year RB Conrad Henden, along with 5th year WR/DB David Froome who are two of the Highlanders playmakers. “We look forward to them continuing to make plays”.
LB Jake Surdykowski and DB/WR Brett McLearon will also be heavily relied on defensively. Surdykowski is already on the Hawks radar.
The biggest keys to winning this week against Jacob Hespeler will be to put up points offensively and not give up big plays on defense or special teams. “Winning the turnover battle and playing more physically than them will also be very key.”
Lastly, according to coach in SJAM’s team preview, “The team to beat for the last three years in Waterloo County has been Jacob Hespeler.” “They are three time champions so everything runs through them right now.”
Don’t be late, kickoff is at 7:00pm at Jacob Hespeler
400 FRESH RALLY TOWELS ARE ALL READY FOR THURSDAY PEP ASSEMBLY AND FOOTBALL KICKOFF! be there and bleed blue ??? pic.twitter.com/YhXtHQ2mb9
— Jacob Hespeler (@JacobHespeler) September 21, 2016
Feature image credit: Adam Gagnon, Special to The Record
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