Class 2012: John Biewald, LB, Ashbury Colts (Video)

Today, CFC features class 2012 star linebacker from the Ashbury Colts, John Biewald. John began his football career with the Canterbury Mustangs (NCAFA).

John Biewald

Positions:
Outside Linebacker, Inside Linebacker, Long snapper

Height/Weight:
6’3, 215 lbs

Teams:
Ashbury Colts (high school)
Cumberland Panthers (varsity)
Canterbury Mustangs (peewee/bantam)
Team Ontario East

Commitment:
None

Consideration:
Western, Queen’s, Ottawa, McMaster, McGill, Guelph, Concordia, Open

Class:
2012

John’s first taste of football was at the age of six. His father put him in football; however, he was too young and could not continue the season. Returning the next year to play for the Canterbury Mustangs in the National Capital Amateur Football Association (NCAFA), the Colts star never looked back.

Other than the Mustangs, John has played with the Ashbury Colts (high school) and the Cumberland Panthers in the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL).

Among the honours John has received are the Leadership award, the Mustangs Coaches award, Ashbury defensive MVP for three straight years and defensive MVP of the junior varsity Panthers.

In July 2011, the star linebacker reached the pinnacle of his football career when he served as a captain on Team Ontario East at the Canada Football Cup in Lethbridge, Alberta. John says that he enjoyed soaking in the experience of 10 days of “non-stop” football talk.

“This left me with alot of things I had never known and it made me a better football player,” adds the Colts linebacker. “We had a couple of disappointing losses but we practiced extremely hard and eventually got a win.”

“The coaches and players were awesome and we all had a great time.”

As for influences, Colts head coach Dwayne Smith has been a major one on John’s football career.

“He has a passion for the game like no other and would do anything for any of his players,” says John.

Smith is not the only Colts coach that has had an impact on the linebacker’s career.

“Coach Jim Clark from Ashbury has also been one of my most influential coaches,”says John. “With an amazing football background, this man has taught me a lot, not only on the field, but outside of the game as well.”

Rick Harris has been John’s defensive coach for the last two seasons with the Panthers and has played a major role in the star linebacker’s success.

“He emphasizes toughness and has taught my team and I a lot of things that have made us better,” explains John. “Without him, I would definitely not be there player I am right now.”

On and off the field, the graduating player says he wouldn’t be where he is today without the support and encouragement of his parents.

Aside from football, John has a passion for hockey.

“I have played all my life until grade 9 but this year I decided to play school hockey and it’s great,” adds the Colts star who also plays rugby.

Once he graduates from high school, John will continue his education at the university level. He has applied to physical education and kinesiology programs. As for career aspirations, they are geared towards his love of football and sports.

“I would like to take football as far as it will get me and once that is over I see myself staying with sports whether it is in athletic therapy, training or other means,” explains the linebacker.

Football has taught John important lessons that uses in everyday life. Among them are toughness and leadership.

“You learn to be tougher mentally and physically while playing the game and that definitely turns over to many other aspects of life,” explains John. “Mental and physical tough is very important in day to day life.”

“The same goes for leadership, whether it be in school or a job, the ability to be a leader is huge especially when working with a large group of people.”

The star player says no other sports stresses the importance of family more than football.

“Every player in the game of football has a different role and bringing these roles together and creating a functional team is important anywhere,” comments John. “It teaches you to trust and respect the people you work with.”

“Without family, there is no team, just a bunch of individuals.”

Video of John’s Football Highlights:

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