#CFCOPC PLAYERS TO WATCH: Team East Grade 8 RB Cumberbatch has sights on winning

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

Football is always more enjoyable when you can share it with those you care about and if you’re like Eric Cumberbatch of Team East Grade 8s, you get to not only play with your brother, but your twin brother nonetheless.

Cumberbatch chose to play in the Ontario Prospect Challenge because he likes the idea of playing on a professional football. He added that another reason was because, “I like to play football.”

For Cumberbatch, he said the highlight of the OPC is “playing at Tim Hortons Field. I’ve already played on the Redblacks field and on the Alouettes field, it’s awesome!”

(The Ottawa Redblacks play at TD Place in Ottawa and the Montreal Alouettes play at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium in Montreal.)

Cumberbatch has played with the Glengarry Gaels (Seaway Valley Football League), the St.-Lazare Stallions (Quebec Junior Football League), the Cornwall Wildcats (Ontario Varsity Football League) and the Ile Perrot Western Patriots (Quebec Bantam Football League).

The young player, who stands at 5’6, 116lbs, has played as both a running back and a defensive back. During the OPC, however, he will be playing as a running back. “When I play as a running back, I like the touchdowns,” he said. “When I play as a defensive back, I like the interceptions.”

While there is a wide pool of football talent in North America, Cumberbatch said he does not draw inspiration from anyone in particular. Instead, he said, “I just like football and I want to play my best.”

The OPC will give Cumberbatch a chance to showcase his talents and play to the best of his abilities. When asked about his thoughts on playing at Tim Hortons Field, he said “It’s gonna be lots of fun!”

While playing in a highly touted game can be difficult, the young running back is not worried about whatever pressure may be thrown his way during the game. Cumberbatch said pressure is always there wherever he plays because he plays to win.

Cumberbatch will be graduating in 2020 and while he isn’t considering any school right now, he said his goal is to play either in the CFL or NFL.

As for his goals in the OPC, Cumberbatch said he wants to make at least three touchdowns alongside his twin brother who is also suiting up as a running back with the East Grade 8s.

When it comes to the team, he said, “Our team is there to win!”