OFC preview (JV): Peterborough Wolverines set to lay a strong foundation in their Inaugural Season

Preparations for the inaugural season of the Junior Varsity Peterborough Wolverines are coming to a close as the team gets ready for the start of the 2012 OFC season.

Optimism and enthusiasm is high around the city for the upcoming football calendar as the Wolverines look to move forward with the induction of the Junior Varsity squad to help create depth and build on the great success the Bantam Wolverines demonstrated in their foundation season last year.

The Bantam squad went all the way to almost accomplishing a dream maiden run to the championship final only to have their season ended a game short losing out to the Chatham-Kent Cougars in the conference finals.

Following open try outs earlier in the year which had an impressive turn out and now several weeks of preseason practice, the Junior Varsity squad are finally piecing itself together. Positioning is still yet to be finalized, but the impending bye for the first week will give Head Coach Ted Brown another week to fully finalize his roster.

“We’re a smaller team, but pretty consistent of averaging 6ft 200 pounds and we are fast. We’ve got a lot of athletes on our team.”

Head Coach Ted Brown looks on during Set plays at Practice

When asked if the prospect of having the role of coaching a team lacking the chemistry other teams with more years in under the competition under their belt, Brown was quick to show that himself, his coaching staff and the team were more than ready to compete from the get go.

“I’ve never came out to lose anything, and I’m here to win”

The pedigree that exists within the coaching staff is also impressive, no doubt adding to the Junior Varsity’s confidence for the football year. “Colin Oldreive (twice Vanier cup winner) is a two time national champ and my defensive co-ordinator (Duncan Luciak) has a CIS Championship ring.”

Although the coaches own testament of the teams size was one of realism, opposing teams should still take heed of such standout figures as offensive guard Riley Aiello (5’11” 250Lbs or 115 Kg) and offensive tackle Greg Nelson (6’7” 260lbs/117.9), who will be sure to use their size in helping the team make an impact this season.

The local schools in the Peterborough area serve to be a great talent pool for the formation of the squad with the coaches happy with the results of Crestwood and Adam Scott’s recent years in the provincial standings as a potential indicator of what the season may bring.

Whether this year will prove to be in the same image of the Bantam Wolverines finishing top of the standings at the end of the regular season is yet to be seen, with Coach Brown putting it quite well himself. “Do I think we’re going to win? That’s Anybody’s guess.”

But judging by the spirit scrimmage they showed two Sundays ago, the Wolverines will have bucket loads of energy and a winning outlook as they look to begin their season June 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] playing away against the Oakville Titans.