Today, CFC features class 2012 star receiver from Westlane Spartans, Wilson Birch. Wilson started playing football in 2008.

Wilson Birch

Positions:
Receiver, Cornerback, Safety, Linebacker, Quarterback

Height/Weight:
6’0, 175 lbs

Teams:
Westlane Spartans (high school)
Niagara Spears (junior varsity/varsity: OVFL)

Commitment:
None

Consideration:
Guelph, Queen’s

Class:
2012

A move to a diffierent high school early on created the opportunity for Wilson to jump start his football career.

“I didn’t start playing football until grade nine, and if I hadn’t moved in grade seven, my high school would not have offered football,” says Wilson. “It’s sort of cool to see how that move which traumatized me at the time has turned into such an incredible experience for me.”

Since 2008, Wilson has been a force to be reckoned with on the field. For the past four seasons, he has been a standout player on his high school team, the Westlane Spartans. Additionally, he’s salso found success while playing with junior varsity Niagara Spears of the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL).

Among the awards the Spartans receiver has won include junior offensive team MVP in 2010 and senior offensive team MVP in 2011.

While he may have experienced many special moments in his young football career, Wilson says that two things stand out for him.

“My most memorable experience was winning our high school championship in grade 10, and getting to play with the same quarterback, Jordon Maxim for all four of my football seasons,” explains Wilson. “At Westlake, I love having that one guy who I have chemistry with.”

One constant during graduating player’s last four football seasons with the Spartans has been the instruction and support of head coach Jason Babony.

“He has coached me all four years and his level of dedication is insane; he had a baby prior to our 2011 season and he still showed up to every practice except one,” comments the Spartans receiver. “His knowledge and passion makes him perfect to coach and it’s nice to have a steady coach, and also a man to look up to and model myself after.”

Another main influence who continually motivates and encourages Wilson to achieve his goals is his father.

“He’s been a huge inspiration and help throughout this whole process and he helped coached this year and it was awesome to see how much he learned and how he’s grown to love it as much as I do,” adds Wilson.

As for future plans away from the field, the star receiver would like to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps. Wilson would like to study mechanical engineering and be successful in having a long term career in that field.

On the field, the Spartans graduating standout has learned leadership and team concepts, which he says will be valuable to him when reaching for his football and life goals.

“Being one of the captains you’re given a lot of responsibility and when we would slack off, things would get messed up, explains Wilson. “It’s a good learning experience to see your actions directly affect the team and even the lives of the other players you’re leading.”

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