Anthony Bontorin started his career in grade nine with the Holy Names Fighting Knights of the Windsor and Essex County Secondary School Athletic Association (WECSSAA).
Playing at the wide receiver position, Bontorin caught the ball during a drill and threw it back 60 yards.
“My teammate and coach immediately told me to go and work with the quarterbacks,” said Bontorin.
He is now the starting quarterback for the Essex Ravens of the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL). ”
I chose to play for the Ravens because I knew that this would give me the best opportunity to learn from great coaches and become a better all around quarterback,” explained the quarterback.
Dur to Bontorin’s leadership and skills, the Ravens are ranked first in the Adam Conference and second in the league with a 5-1 record.
The 6’1. 210 pound quarterback has already thrown for 1226 yards, has completed 68 passes 111 attempts, has 11 touchdown passes and a quarterback rating of 177.7.
Bontorin’s play has earned the respect from Ravens head coach Glen Mills.
“We expect Anthony to run the offense and continue to make great decisions,” said Mills. “Anthony completely understands what our game plan is and what we are trying to accomplish on each play.”
Overall, the Ravens’ standout enjoys the leadership aspect of the quarterback position.
“Being the quarterback, people are looking at you to make a difference in the game and when its crunch time,” Bontorin explained. “Your teammates are looking at you for motivation and to make a play and I thrive on that.”
His leadership at the quarterback position has made him a crucial part of the Ravens success and he loves playing for the team.
“Playing for the Ravens, you get to build bonds with people that you are usually enemies with during the high school season,” adds Bontorin.
Another aspect of playing for the Ravens that quarterback cherishes is the coaching.
“I like that [with the Ravens] you will be getting the best coaching you can get in all of Ontario with Coach Mills, Petrozzi and Milarnic… and there is never a dull moment at practice,” said Bontorin.
The Ravens’ standout has trained hard to be the skilled quarterback he is today. On top the three practices with the Ravens each week, Bontorin tries to go to the gym at least four to five times a week to work mostly on footwork and cardio. He also works to improve his football IQ by watching film whenever he can. Film helps Bontorin study the defense and “be a step ahead when it comes to game day.”
On and off the field, Bontorin’s main influence is his older brother.
“He has worked so hard to be where he is right now and he is successful at what he does,” said the Ravens’ quarterback who, is working just as hard following in his brother’s footsteps when it comes to his traning regimen.
Additionally, Bontorin’s brother has taught him one main thing.
“If you have a dream, it is possible to achieve it and if you work very hard, good things will happen to you,” said Bontorin.
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