Training has been strenuous and draining for the players competing for this Saturdays East West bowl, with practice taking place twice a day for four days leading up to the game. After one such practice session on Wednesday, CFC had a chance to speak with Bishop’s Defensive End, Elie Ngoyi.
CFC: So how has the week gone for you?
E: So far the week went pretty well. A little disappointing though, I pulled my quad a little bit. It’s just a cramp, but I’ll be back for tomorrow.
CFC: How was the combine on Tuesday for you? I noticed that you placed very high on quite a few different areas.
E: The combine went pretty well, I did what I had to do. I was a little ready, but I was a little disappointed with my tests. My bench was 31, but normally its 45. I felt that I could have done way better.
CFC: What have you learned thus far?
E: I have learned many things. Like when the coach talks, with his experience and everything, you’ve got to listen, and you have to try to improve using his advice and following it.
CFC: What goals do you have for Saturday?
E: I have many goals; first the East has got to win. Individually, I have to hustle to the ball, play physical, and follow the coaches’ advice and play to my abilities.
CFC: How do you feel about being compared against all of the other Defensive Ends out there? Is that Intimidating, or is that a good thing for you?
E: I wouldn’t say it’s intimidating; it makes me better. I’m out there with defenseman like Ménard, and all of the defensemen on the other side, and I’m comparing myself to them. If they have techniques to show me, then I’m going to learn from them. If I have something to tell them, then they’ll learn from me. I’m taking it as a good experience, a good experience to learn from each other. It’s not intimidating; I’m playing in the Q where all the players are older, so coming here is a big experience and a good way to learn
CFC: You’ll be graduating at the end of this coming year, and eligible for draft. Is there anywhere in particular that you are hoping to be recruited to?
E: If I have a shot to go to the next level right now, I’ll go anywhere. It’s a dream for everyone. But my family moved to Calgary, so I’d want to be close to my family if its possible, but if its in Ontario for example, I’ll still go.
CFC: Do you know quite a few guys from the west side?
E: Blake mill recruited me years ago, so I know a couple of the players from the Calgary Dinos, I know Steven Lumbala, and Gaydosh; most of the players from that team.
CFC: What do you do to win games?
E: Well I prepare myself mentally, but its 365 days. It’s every day of the year. The preparation doesn’t start as soon as the season starts, year round you have to train, go to school, and do what you have to do.
CFC: What was it that got you into football, and what do you like about the game?
E: That was really random; here’s what happened. I was in high school in Sherbrooke, and I really didn’t like my high school. I really wanted to switch high schools, but one of the conditions to go to the other high school was to play football. But I had never played football before, so I said “ah sure, why not. If I can get admitted to that school, I might as well”. So I went out there, and the first year was really hard and everything, and the next spring I ended up breaking my left ankle.
CFC: And you still managed to stay with football?
E: [Laughs] Everyone told me to just leave football, we had just started school and everything, and I said, “No I really like this sport”. So I was playing Running Back first, but then I was switched to Defensive End, where I did very well.
CFC: What do you love the most about playing football?
E: Every defensive player will say, “I like contact”. I like hitting people, I like bullying people, and I like dominating [laughs]. The domination aspect of the game is really, really good.
You can catch Elie Ngoyi dominating on the field as he takes on the West team in an effort to win the East West bowl title for the East team this Saturday at TD Waterhouse Stadium.
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