Class 2012: Brandon Duhamel, DB, Sackville High Kingfishers

Today, CFC features class 2012 star defensive back from the Sackville High Kingfishers, Brandon Duhamel. Brandon started playing football for the peewee Bedford/Sackville Saints.

Brandon Duhamel

Positions:
Defensive Back, Safety, Middle Linebacker

Height/Weight:
5’10, 160 lbs

Teams:
Sackville High Kingfishers (high school)
Bedford/Sackville Saints (peewee/bantam)

Commitment:
None

Consideration:
Saint Mary’s, Acadia, St. Francis Xavier, Open

Class:
2012

At the age of 12, Brandon Duhamel started playing football with the Bedford/Sackville Saints after a chance encounter during a rugby practice.

“I was at a rugby practice one day and a coach from the Fall River Dragons liked my aggressiveness and my tackling so he told me to come try out for them,” says the graduating defensive back. “When I showed up to their tryouts the next day they wouldn’t let me play for them because they said I have to play for the Saints.”

“The Saints were not sure if they would let me join this late but they gave me a shot, saw how aggressive I was and my love for contact and let me play for them”.

Brandon didn’t start his high school football career with the Sackville High Kingfishers until his grade 11 year. His only regret is that he wishes he had started playing with the team sooner.

In 2011, Brandon had a successful season with the Kingfishers. The Nova Scotia Student Athletic Federation Football League (NSSAFFL) recognized his efforts on the field by selecting him to the first all-star team in the defensive back position. The captain of the Kingfishers was also named the team’s defensive MVP.

Being awarded this honour is the highlight of Brandon’s football career.

“The team, in grade 11, barely even knew I was playing for them until the end of the year,” explains the Kingfishers star player. “But at the start of 2011, I stepped it up and set a goal to get defensive MVP and I did everything I possibly could for the team and put myself on the line every single play, and despite a few injuries, it came through in the end.”

For Brandon, his parents, especially his mother Trina, have been his biggest cheerleaders and supporters.

“Whether I win or lose, I know I will make my parents proud,” adds Brandon. “My mom always knows when I feel bad about a game and is always there to tell me that I played well and that she is proud of what I do every single day.”

Rob Morgan and Joe Simatovic have had an impact on Brandon’s football career. The Kingfisher coaches are the best he has ever come across and they have never given up on the team. While Morgan abruptly left the team on leave before the start of the 2011 NSSAFFL season, the star defensive back still considers him his main football influence.

“Never has he missed a practice since I have been at Sackville High, and everyone says he never has since the fifteen years or more he has been coaching,” says Brandon. “Never have I seen such dedication from a coach, if every player had half the dedication to the team that he does, there isn’t a high school team in the world that we could not beat.”

Overcoming health obstacles is something Brandon deals with on a daily basis.

“I was diagnosed with type one diabetes the summer before my second year of playing for the Saints,” comments the graduating star player. “It can get tough trying to balance both football and diabetes some days, but nothing can stop me from doing what I love to do.”

Along with football, Brandon continues to play rugby. Currently, he is a member of the Nova Scotia and Kingfishers’ team.

Once he graduates from high school in June, Brandon would like to pursue studies in either forensic science or kinesiology. While he has not decided a career path, one option he is looking into is becoming a physiotherapist.

The Kingfishers’ star player has learned valuable lessons from the game. One is what means to be part of a team.

“When you play football for so many years, you understand a football team isn’t just a team, you’re all brothers, you have to be there for your teammates and never let them down,” explains Brandon. “You learn how to work as a team and how to help people out whenever they need it.”

Additionally, Brandon knows that hard work and dedication are keys to achieving goals on and off the field.

“Football isn’t about how big you are, or how fast you are, it’s about hard work and dedication,” says the star player. “Just like everything else in life, you have to work towards your goal; you just don’t wake up and decide you’re going to be defensive MVP of your team, you have to work for it, each and every day and never have a doubt in your mind.”

Kingfishers head coach Simatovic says that Brandon is “very coachable” and is willing to learn. The star player has steadily improved on his footwork and defensive back skills. For the last two years with the Kingfishers, Brandon has played halfback, cornerback and all three linebacker positions.

“He is a tough, hard-nosed tackler, and would rather separate the man from the ball than intercept,” explains Simatovic. “He is excellent in run support and will do anything and play anywhere to help the team.”

Simatovic appreciates the loyalty and dedication Brandon has shown in his time with the team. As a leader, Brandon is quiet but effective on and off the field.

“He was a captain who led by his actions on the field and everyone listened when he spoke,” adds the Kingfishers head coach. “He is always there to help the underdog and kids not involved in athletics.”

“A nice guy, a total team player!!!”

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