Class 2012: Christopher Houston, LB, St. Andrew’s / Toronto Jr. Argos

Today CFC features 2012 linebacker Christopher Houston. Chris started his football career in the summer of grade 8 with the Toronto Junior Argos.

Christopher Houston

Linebacker

Teams:
St. Andrew’s College (High School) #9
Toronto Jr. Argos (OFC)

Class 2012

Chris started his football as defensive end / tight end for the Toronto Jr. Argos. That first team he played on went undefeated and won the league championship. He attended St. Andrew’s College (SAC) in grade 9 and played for their U16 team. He was the starting QB and linebacker that year and lost in the conference finals to St. Michael’s College. That summer he again played for the Jr. Argos, starting at QB and safety. In grade 10 he jumped to the SAC varsity team, starting at linebacker and slotback. That summer he played for the Jr. Argos, was captain and played both linebacker and fullback. The team won the championship and he was the defensive MVP of the game.

Christopher has won 2 championships but his most memorable football experience was “losing. It is the losing that sticks with you. Winning is easy but the losing is hard. The hardest loss I have ever been through was losing to UCC in the CISAA finals this past year. We didn’t come to play like we should have and we underestimated the UCC team. We lost the game in overtime.”

The most influential people in his life are his “parents, St Andrews head coach Len Gurr, and Jr Argos head coach Carlo Onorati. It is my father that sparked my interest in football. Ever since I was little he would tell me stories of when he played football at St. Andrews College. He was a Captain in grade 13 and a linebacker as well so it has been a lot of fun to be able to do what he did. He was also the one that gave me the idea to go to St Andrew’s College. My father has been at almost all of my practices and every single game. I can always count on seeing him whenever I step on the field. I am lucky to have huge family support and thanks to my school advisor, Mr. Shrimpton I don’t take this for granted. My summer ball head coach Carlo Onorati is the one coach that made football the most fun for me. He was the first person to give me the chance to play linebacker and the first person to teach me how to tackle. Another important person to me when it comes to football and life is SAC head coach Len Gurr. He is always there for me at school whether it is football related, school related, or just about life. He always pushes me to be the best that I can be.”

SAC head coach Len Gurr had this to say about his star athlete: “Chris is an extremely proud athlete and a key member of our football team. His practice habits and dedication to off season training serve as an outstanding example to his teammates. After making a major impact as a sam / hybrid cover linebacker during his grade 11 season, we’re excited by the substantial increases he has made this winter in terms of size and strength. This will enable us to move him inside to middle linebacker and firmly entrench him as a leader of our defensive unit.”

Chris holds an 85% average and aspires to play football in university.

Accomplishments:

– named a team captain St Andrew’s College grade 11 2010 season
– led St Andrew’s College team in tackles
– 2 interceptions, 1 for a TD for SAC
– GTA ‘Rising Star’ all-star
– CISAA all-star
– trying out for Team Ontario
– also played FB and special teams SAC
– 3 touchdowns at FB SAC
– Defensive MVP OFC championship game JR Argos
– Captain JR Argos