Class 2012: Andrew Klain continues to make powerful football impact (video X 2)

Today, CFC shines the spotlight on class 2012 star running back from the Prince Andrew Panthers, Andrew Klain. Andrew first played football with the peewee Dartmouth Stingers.

Andrew Klain

Positions:
Running back, Special Teams

Height/Weight:
5’9, 190 lbs

Teams:
Prince Andrew Panthers (high school: NSSAFFL)
Dartmouth Knights/ Dartmouth Destroyers (junior varsity/varsity: NSVFL)
Dartmouth Stingers (peewee/bantam)
Team Nova Scotia under-17, under-18

Commitment:
None

Consideration:
Acadia, Mount Allison, Saint Mary’s, Toronto, Open

Class:
2012

As a grade six student in 2006, Andrew’s began his football career with the peewee Dartmouth Stingers. During his peewee years, the standout played at the cornerback, defensive halfback and linebacker positions. While playing on the defensive line in 2007 for the Stingers, Andrew was team most valuable defensive lineman and was honoured with the Football Nova Scotia peewee defensive MVP award.

When he moved up to the bantam Stingers in 2008, the graduating star had the opportunity to play many positions as he was on a team of 20 players (included linebacker, center,fullback, running back). Football Nova Scotia recognized Andrew’s stellar play on the field by awarding him with the bantam defensive MVP award.

In 2009, the standout’s career started to takeoff as he began his high school football career with the Prince Andrew Panthers of the Nova Scotia Student Athletic Federation Football League (NSSAFFL) as adefensive halfback. Moreover, the star player came into his own as a running back when he was selected as a part of the Nova Scotia under-17 team.

Andrew experienced a special moment in his football career as he won a championship title with the junior varsity Dartmouth Knights of the Nova Scotia Varsity Football League (NSVFL).

“I love this memory because the whole year we were the underdogs,” explains Andrew, who played running back and fullback for the Knights. “We weren’t the biggest or the fastest but we played every game like it was our last.”

The Knights faced a tough opponent from Halifax and it was a close game. In the end, the Knights prevailed and won the championship by a score of 14-13. Overall, the whole experience was rewarding for Andrew.

“We played the most nerve racking game I have been in,” adds the offensive standout. “Many of us didn’t know each other but we came together and won the championship.”

In 2010, Andrew made the move from defensive halfback to running back with the Panthers. Additionally, he won another NSVFL championship title with the Knights and was successful in his tryout with the Nova Scotia under-18 team.

Having the most successful campaign in 2011, Andrew was the special teams captain for Team Nova Scotia at the Football Canada Cup in Lethbridge, Alberta. Additionally, the offensive player was rewarded for his play with the Panthers as he was named to the NSSAFFL second all-star team at the running back position for the Nova Division.

Andrew credits his mother as the one who got him interested in football. Always ensuring he made practices, the Panthers running back says his mother has always been a huge influence on him.

“My mom always supported me in football and always did what I asked of her,”says Andrew who adds that his mother attended games rain or shine. “She never questioned football because it was my love and hers.”

“She has always pushed me to be the best that I can be.”

There are many skills the Panthers graduating standout has learned from the game which he applies to all aspects of his life. Some of those include teamwork, selflessness, and leadership. However, Andrew says that hard work is the most important skill he has learned from football.

“What you lack in an area hard work and training can help make up for,” comments the star running back. “You can’t be lazy in football, you just won’t be successful.”

“Hard work means putting in the hours when you don’t want to and pushing yourself.”

Joe Flemming has instructed Andrew during his high school career with the Panthers and last season with the Destroyers. The Panthers head coach says the graduating running back has shown dedication to the sport and knows both sides of the ball from his experience of being an effective, yet dependable playmaker on both units.

“Andrew is a no duff player,” explains Flemming. “He means business everytime he’s on the field, and is in the gym whenever he’s not.”

“Andrew is technically sound and loves every aspect of the game. He never avoids contact; he embraces it, with a vengeance.”

Flemming describes the star running back’s style of play on the field.

“While he’s agile and fast, he also enjoys dipping his shoulder and making defenders pay for any play they intend to make on him,” says the Panthers head coach, who also comments that at the first contact, Andrew is rarely taken down. “In fact, defenders often look like bowling pins as Andrew powers forward.”

“An aggressive and competitive quality any coach would be excited to have in one of his players.”

The graduating standout has also proven to be a valuable and integral part of special teams.

“He’s very efficient with his blocks, and enjoys the opportunity to return the ball whenever it lands on his doorstep and whenever he’s frustrated with his own results, he channels that frustration and raises the bar for himself, making him an even more dangerous opponent,” adds Flemming.

Andrew has made a significant impact on the teams he’s played on throughout his young football career.

“He’s the hardest hitting running back Prince Andrew and the Dartmouth Destroyers JV team has seen in a while,” explains the Panthers head coach. “I’ve heard similar comments with regards to his impact while playing on the Nova Scotia Provincial team.”

Flemming adds the graduating star player will continue to make a strong contribution at the next level through all the hard work, dedication, and leadership he has already demonstrated on the field.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure having him on our team for the last 3 years at PA,” comments the Panthers head coach. “His presence has been key in the re-building of our team to a competing level.”

“Any team would be lucky to have him and I wish him the best of luck in the years to come.”

Video of Andrew’s Football Highlights:

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