#CFCOPC PLAYERS TO WATCH: Team East Grade 8 RB/DB Cumberbatch ready for the big stage

The countdown begins to CanadaFootballChat.com Ontario Prospect Challenge 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.

If you think you are seeing double this Ontario Prospect Challenge, you may simply be seeing Patrick Cumberbatch and his twin brother.

Patrick Cumberbatch (right) and his brother (left) hold the trophy together. Courtesy of Michelle Bergeron.

Patrick Cumberbatch (right) and his brother (left) hold the trophy together. Courtesy of Michelle Bergeron.

Cumberbatch has already played at TD Place, the home of the Ottawa RedBlacks, and Percival Molson Memorial Stadium, the home of the Montreal Alouettes. So when he found out this year’s OPC was at Tim Hortons Field, the home of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, he couldn’t wait to add another professional field to his list.

“I liked the idea of playing on a big field where the pros play,” Cumberbatch said. He said he chose to play in the OPC because he enjoys playing football. The young player also added that the highlight so far is having the chance to play on Tim Hortons Field.

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).

Currently standing at 5’5 and 108lbs, the young football player has played both as a running back and a defensive back. However, when he suits up for Team East Grade 8s, he will be starting as a running back. He said he enjoys getting touchdowns as a running back and when he is a defensive back, he likes the chance to get interceptions.

When asked about his football inspirations, Cumberbatch said, “I don’t have anybody in particular.” He simply wants to play his best whenever he steps out onto the field.

Cumberbatch is excited for the challenge of playing on the Tiger-Cats home turf. “I play to win so the pressure is always on whenever I play at home or at a big stadium,” he said.

The young running back will be graduating in 2020. While he does not have any particular schools he is considering right now, he knows he wants to play either in the CFL or the NFL.

Graduation is a long way off for Cumberbatch, but the OPC is just around the corner. By the end of the game, he hopes to have had three touchdowns and a team win.

Advocating for football prospects one story at a time.

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