#CFCOPC: Western emerges as leading contender for QB Wong

OUA school top choice for Spirit standout

St. Marcellinus Spirit quarterback Kevin Wong is coming off a breakout season.

Kevin Wong

Positions:
Quarterback

Height/Weight:
6’0, 173lbs

Teams:
St. Marcellinus Spirit (high school: ROPSSAA)

Commitment:
None

Official Visits:
Western

Consideration:
Western

Class:
2017

Kevin considers himself a student of the game.

Last year, in grade 9, Kevin started playing for the first time joining the junior varsity St. Marcellinus Spirit of the Region of Peel Secondary School Athletic Association (ROPSSAA). Kevin tried playing a variety of positions in his freshman year including punt returner, kickoff returner, outside linebacker, and wide receiver.

Although Kevin started playing late compared to many of his teammates and lacked experience, he learned the game quickly and efficiently.

“I became a student of the game and learned the game very quickly,” Kevin says. “In grade 10 (2015 season) my position changed from wide receiver to quarterback,”

That’s when Kevin’s talents were truly exposed being named the offensive captain and winning the Spirit’s Overall Most Valuable Player Award.

The highlight of last season for Kevin was his first game as a quarterback.

“That game I had to prove to my coaches, teammates, and peers that I was going to be an exceptionally good player,” says Kevin, who led his team to a win and an undefeated regular season.  “I scored four touchdowns and threw 1.”

Kevin was able to learn and excel so quickly on the field because of his past sports experience and strong work ethic.

“I have a very good work ethic in school and on the field,” says Kevin.

In grade 10, Kevin finished with a academic average of 90 percent. The quarterback also plays at a high level of hockey, being named the top ‘AA’ goalie in the GTHL East division, and is an avid track athlete, placing ninth in OFSAA for Javelin and third in ROPSAA for the 100m dash. Kevin also chess, guitar, and does magic; it is clear that he is a man of many talents.

This past spring, the Spirit standout participated in the Ontario Prospect Challenge (OPC).

In September, he will be playing on the Spirit’s senior team. If Kevin wants to be the starting quarterback and offensive captain for that team, he knows he has a lot of training to do during the offseason.

“My workout regimen during the offseason consists of being at the gym five days a week, improving my strength,” says Kevin. “ I also practice certain quarterback drills and am attending a few quarterback camps to help me to throw faster, more accurately, and longer distances.”

More specifically, Kevin’s improvement depends on a couple of things.

“Analyzing my strengths and weaknesses and addressing them accordingly,” says Kevin. “For example, if one game I was not very good at leading the receiver, I would visualize and create drills that help me with my timing.”

“I work off tape quite a bit to spot things to work on.”

This training and work ethic has made Kevin excel on the field.

“I believe I add leadership, running and throwing, the ability to think on the field, and the ability to scramble to keep a play alive,” says Kevin.

Kevin gets his inspiration to work hard on the field and in life from his family.

“My parents guide me and offer me support,” says Kevin, which, along with his love for the game, has gotten him to where he is today.

“I love football because when I am able to make a play, it fills me with pride knowing I am benefitting my team,” says Kevin.  “I love my high school team because we have a very strong connection together; we feel like a family and we play like one.”

The recruitment process has been interesting for the Spirit standout.

“Smooth at times and difficult at others,” according to Kevin. “Since I am so new to football (only having started two years ago) coaches sometimes doubt my capabilities on the field.”

Kevin hopes to prove these coaches wrong and excel in his next two years with the Spirit. After that, he hopes to continue his gridiron and academic career at Western University in London, Ontario.

“I heard that Western always has a consistently solid team, good coaching, and great equipment,” remarks Kevin, hopes to enroll in order for him to get his preferred job after university, an investment banker. “Outside of football, Western is known for their elite business school, Richard Ivey.”