#CFCOPC PLAYERS TO WATCH: Team East Varsity QB Spinella back for round two (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. 

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As a quarterback, Jacob Spinella leads by example from behind centre.

My biggest attribute that I bring to a game is leadership; I try to lead by example. Coaches expect a lot from every player and as the QB I always give 100% effort during both practice and games,” he expressed. “This way my teammates are encouraged to do the same. It’s great to be part of a team where everyone has a common goal.”

The Myers Riders (OVFL) and Mother Teresa Titans (NCSSAA) standout absolutely loves playing the quarterback position, and he’s pretty good at it too.

“What I like about playing QB is being able to control the flow the game and being in a position to help the team win,” he said. “One of my career highlights is breaking an OVFL Varsity record with 8 TD passes in a single game in 2015.”

Spinella idolizes one of the greatest NFL quarterbacks of all time, who went out with a bang and captured Super Bowl 50 in his final season, and another pivot who has established himself as a Pro Football Hall of Famer North of the border.

“The player I try to emulate is Payton Maning. I look up to Payton Manning for his ability to execute on the field  and his ability to read defences and adjust accordingly,” elaborated the 2016 grad. “In the CFL, my favourite QB has always been Henry Burris because of the way he carries himself both on and off the field.”

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On April 30, Spinella will make the trip to Hamilton to partake in his second straight Ontario Prospect Challenge after putting together a very impressive performance on home turf in Ottawa last spring.

“I was fortunate enough to have played on team East last year where I won the Offensive MVP. I had a great time and was looking forward to playing this year again,” he stated. “The process was pretty thorough and fair. This year was no different than last year, as there was some good competition at the QB position with five [players] competing for two spots in the final cuts.”

Anything less than a victory, both personally and on the scoreboard, will not satisfy Spinella at this year’s event.

“I am hoping to lead my team to another victory this year and connect with the receivers consistently and effectively,” he asserted.

The 6’0, 192-pound quarterback is quick to point out that not only does the big stage of the OPC not bother him, but that, in fact, he embraces it.

“I welcome the challenge to play on a big stage,” he said. “I have also been fortunate to have played in a number of championship games throughout my career thus far at the OVFL, NCAFA, and High School level which has given me the experience of competing under pressure in high profile games.”

Spinella has committed to join the Laurier Golden Hawks for the 2016 OUA season.

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