#CFCOPC PLAYERS TO WATCH: Team Central Sophomore DE Dava in select company (VIDEO)

The countdown begins to CanadaFootballChat.com’s Ontario Prospect Challenge (OPC) on the April 29th weekend at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton. In the days leading up to OPC, CFC will preview the teams and players participating in the big event.

In 2015, Kail Dava did something that had not been done in several years by a Huronia Stallion.

“I started on the varsity team for my rep program as a ninth grader” recalled the 6’4, 230-pound defensive end. “When I played with the older players I had to quickly adapt and worked hard to be a player my team could count on. It was a great learning experience for me and I have grown into a better football player because of it.”

Throughout his career with the Stallions, who play in the Ontario Football Conference (OFC), and the Innisdale Invaders of the Georgian Bay Secondary School Association (GBSSA), he has always been known as a leader and someone who never takes a play off.

“The biggest attribute I bring to the game is leadership. Inspiring your team and influencing them to play there best is very important,” alluded Dava. “Also I am very intense and passionate when it comes to game time. I will always give my best and leave everything on the field.”

The Stallions’ standout loves the satisfaction of ‘getting home’ on the opposing quarterback.

“My favourite part of playing [defensive end] is sacking the [quarterback]. The satisfaction of beating your lineman and hitting the quarterback is amazing and the challenge of not letting anyone outside of me is great,” mentioned Dava. “As a DE you consistently have to read plays which keeps you always thinking, adapting to different situations making each play exciting.”

The Invaders’ star looks up to an NFL Hall-of-Famer and a player with his whole career ahead of him taken far too soon.

“Two football players I look up to are Lawrence Taylor and Sean Taylor,” he said. “They were amazing defensive players who played with intensity and a high caliber of skill. These athletes inspire me to train and work in order to take my talent to the next level.”

In five weeks time, Dava will head to Hamilton to play in the 2016 Ontario Prospect Challenge.

“I was introduced to the program through one of my coaches. The process has been very good; the coaches are very helpful and push you to perform at your full ability,” expressed the Team Central Sophomore. “The staff makes sure you have all of the tools necessary to succeed; this has ensured a smooth tryout process for me.”

He hopes the OPC will aid in progressing his recruitment process, with plenty of scouts slated to be in attendance.

“Through this program I plan to gain exposure with scouts and to be one of the best among the top players in Ontario,” forecasted Dava. “Also I want to continue to have fun and play the sport I love at a high level.”

The Barrie native says he expects to thrive under the pressure of the OPC.

“I believe I can deliver with the added pressure and the spotlight,” he asserted. “I will need to perform well not only for myself but for the teammates who are counting on me.”