Today, CFC shines the spotlight on class 2012 star running back from the Charles P Allen Cheetahs, Louis Stephen. Louis first began his football career with the peewee Bedford Saints.
Louis Stephen
Positions:
Running back, Long Snapper, Free Safety
Height/Weight:
6’0, 188 lbs
Teams:
Charles P Allen Cheetahs (high school: NSSAFFL)
Metro Mustangs (junior varsity/varsity: NSVFL)
Bedford Saints (peewee)
Team Nova Scotia under-18
Commitment:
None
Consideration:
Acadia, Calgary, Michigan Tech (NCAA), Mount Allison, Saint Mary’s, St. Francis Xavier, Open
Class:
2012
At the age of 13, Louis began his football journey with the Saints. His presence on the field was felt immediately as he made a significant impact and was team offensive MVP. After one year off, Louis resumed his football career with the junior varsity Metro Mustangs of the Nova Scotia Varsity Football League (NSVFL). In his second year with the Mustangs, Louis was team offensive MVP.
Louis accomplished major feats while playing with his high school team, the Charles P Allen Cheetahs of the Nova Scotia Student Athletic Federation Football League (NSSAFFL). In his final season with the Cheetahs, Louis was named team offensive MVP and was selected to the NSSAFFL Nova Division first all-star team in the running back position.
In 2010, the Cheetahs running back experienced a tough, yet unique moment of his career.
“My most memorable football experience was from the 2010 Tier 1 semi-finals losing to Sir John A in the freezing cold and that taste I had left in my mouth,” explains Louis who also won a varsity championship with the Mustangs that season. “At the time I was pretty upset that it was the end of the season but I later realized this was the best thing that could have happened to me.”
While devastated by the loss, the experience motivated Louis to push himself harder in the offseason.
“During the offseason, the thought never left my mind,” adds Louis who also participated at the Football Canada Cup in July 2001 as a member of Team Nova Scotia. “I told myself if I trained hard enough, the opportunity would come again and the result would be different.”
At the end of the NSSAFFL 2011 regular season, the Cheetahs running back found out who the team’s opponent would be in the first round. The Cheetahs would get another crack at the Sir John A MacDonald Flames.
“At that moment it hit me, everything I trained for was one week away,” says Louis. “We ended up beating them 47-15.”
“I canβt describe the feeling I got and I will remember that game for the rest of my life.”
One of the major reasons for Louis’ on field success is Cheetahs head coach Mike McPherson.
“He has taught me a lot about the game and I couldnβt have asked for a better coach,” comments the Cheetahs standout. “He is the kind of guy that wants to bring out the best in each and every one of his players and this is something that you donβt see from a coach every day.”
During the last year, Louis has worked with Ting Li Hsieh, who has trained him with the goal of improving all aspects of his game.
“He has not only physically prepared me for the season but he gave me a mental edge,” adds Louis. “I would like to say thanks to Ting for making me the player I am today.”
The most influential people in the graduating running back’s life are his family. Louis’ father was the first to introduce him to football and Louis says that both his parents have supported all his endeavours on and off the field while giving him sound advice.
Additionally, Louis credits his sisters Ashley and Jessica for all his achievements on and off the field.
“With my oldest sister living in Kelowna BC she always goes out of her way to call me before a game to wish me luck,” comments the graduating star.
Away from the field, Louis has quite a busy schedule. He holds down a part time job at Esso in Bedford while going to school and playing football. However, Louis enjoys the experience and the benefits it has given him.
“Itβs pretty important to me because itβs become a routine in my life where I get up and get a chance to interact with the public on a day to day basis,” explains the Cheetahs running back. “Iβve also built relationships here with coworkers, especially close friend Tyler Currie.”
Once he graduates in June, Louis plans on continuing his education by enrolling in a Bachelor of Arts program at university. The Cheetahs standout’s overall career goal is to be a lawyer.
Ultimately, Louis will take one thing he has learned from football to succeed in all future goals he has set for himself on and off the field.
“Football has taught me that it takes hard work and perseverance to accomplish anything in life,” says the graduating running back.
McPherson has instructed Louis for the past three seasons. The Cheetahs head coach says the grade 12 running back continues to progress as a player while demonstrating his versatility on the field.
“He has nice hands, speed, feet and a great work ethic to go with everything,” explains the Cheetahs head coach. “He has continued to get better and better each season, and I believe has the ability and determination to continue this trend at the next level.”
Furthermore, the graduating running back’s exceptional leadership have resulted in a positive effect for the Cheetahs.
“Louis also was a tremendous leader on and off the football field, setting a positive example and the bar high for future student-athletes in our program,” comments McPherson. “We will miss Louis and this senior class, but their impact will hopefully continue to pay dividends in seasons to come.”
Video of Louis’ Football Highlights:
(photos courtesy of Joe Chrvala of Cheetahs Football)
(website: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jchrvala)
(twitter: http://twitter.com/vohra_ameeta)
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