“Sunday is a special day for high school football at Cobequid Educational Centre and for the Community of Truro, as we celebrate the official opening of our new high school stadium and football complex,” explains Cougars head coach Scott Annand. “It is named James MacPherson Stadium, in memory of a former standout athlete and CIS player at Saint Mary’s University in the early to mid-nineties, who was killed tragically in a plane crash.”
“Having this stadium allows us to take high school football to a new level in the region. Along with the stadium, we have a 48 stall visitors locker room.”
Other new features of the $250,000 complex include a seating capacity of 1000, a scoreboard, meeting room, lounge and press box.
The Cougars’ opponents on Sunday, the Sir John A MacDonald Flames, are honoured to be a part of such a special occasion in Truro.
“The Flames organization feels privileged to be the team involved in the Cougars’ stadium opening in the honor of a great guy and player James MacPherson,” comments Flames head coach Alan Wetmore. “It is personally an honor to have the opportunity to pay my respects.”
“Truro has always been the template for Grade 1 organizations so playing in their new stadium will be a lot of fun.”
Coming off a 6-0 loss courtesy of the defending provincial champions, the Citadel Phoenix, the Flames understand the importance of this one game and how it could potentially impact the remainder of their season.
“This match up this weekend is a huge game for us because being 0-2 in this division, with some great teams ahead in our schedule, is not a situation we want to be in,” says the Flames head coach. “We need a win and that is that.”
“Truro is a very tough place to go play so we are finding ourselves in a dark alley with our backs to the wall. We hope that our athletes react in the best way.”
However, the Flames’ focus has not wavered in spite of last week’s loss. The team’s goals center on continual improvement.
“For us, it is just about getting better,” explains Wetmore. “We can’t focus on anything else.”
“All components of our game and all players on our team are held to the same expectations week in and week out: ‘Be better than you were yesterday’.”
As for the Cougars, Annand says that the outcome of this game could determine whether the Cougars are successful in getting a playoff berth this season.
“Every game is important in an eight team division, seven game season,” adds the Cougars head coach. “WE treat every game like it’s a playoff game.”
With regards to the Cougars game execution plans, it’s pretty simple what the team intends to do on Sunday afternoon.
“The key is to execute in all three phases, offense, defense and special teams,” explains Annand. “Execute and play sound fundamental football.”
Overall, both teams hope this game on will be an entertaining one.
“It should be a great game and I hope our team is up to the challenge,” says Wetmore.
NOTE: The game between the Cobequid Educational Cougars and Sir John A MacDonald Flames will be played on Sunday September 23, 2012 at the James MacPherson Stadium. Kickoff is 1:00pm
Photo courtesy of Scott Annand
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