Class 2013: Keith Langille, LB/LS Sir John A MacDonald Flames (Video)

Today, CFC profiles class 2013 star linebacker/long snapper from the Sir John A MacDonald Flames, Keith Langille. Keith started playing football for the peewee Timberlea Titans.

Keith Langille

Positions:
Linebacker, Long snapper, Fullback, Centre

Height/Weight:
5’11, 205 lbs

Teams:
Sir John A MacDonald Flames (high school)
Halifax Redhawks (junior varsity)
Timberlea Titans (peewee/bantam)
Team Nova Scotia under-15, under-17, under-18

Commitment:
None

Consideration:
Saint Mary’s, Bishops, Calgary, Wilfrid Laurier, Mount Allison, CEGEP, Open

Class:
2013

Keith Langille started playing football in 2007 for the peewee Timberlea Titans. He made a huge impression as he nabbed rookie of the year honours. In 2008, Keith was selected as team MVP.

When he moved up to the bantam ranks in 2009, the star player was awarded team and league defensive MVP awards. As a member of the provincial under-15 team, Keith was named defensive MVP.

In 2010, the star player was part of the Nova Scotia under-17 team and received defensive MVP honours. However, a major life threatening accident took place which put Keith’s football career at risk.

“I was involved in a car accident on my way home from the 2010 Halifax Metro football jamboree, where I sustained a broken arm and elbow,” explains the Flames player. “I was told I may never play football again but just two months later after extensive physiotherapy and surgery I played in the semi-finals and finals of the Sir John A Flames 2010 season where we lost to Citadel in the finals.”

Not only was Keith able to overcome the injuries to help the Flames get to the Nova Scotia Student Athletic Federation Football League (NSSAFFL) Tier 1 championship game, he was also the recipient of Heather Tufts Memorial award. It’s an award given to the Flames player who demonstrates perseverance and courage while facing adversity.

This past season was an exceptional one for Keith. In July, he represented Nova Scotia as a member of the under-18 team at the Football Canada Cup in Lethbridge, Alberta. Playing as a middle linebacker in the tourney, Keith was named defensive MVP in two of three games and received an honourable mention all-star nod.

Additionally, the Flames star player had a successful campaign in the NSSAFFL. Keith was named the defensive league MVP for the Scotia Division and was selected to the first all-star team in the linebacker position. Also, he was named the team’s top defensive player. If that were not enough, Keith played for the junior varsity Halifax Redhawks in the Nova Scotia Varsity Football League.

Keith is also a leader. With the exception of the Nova Scotia under-18 Football Canada Cup team, the star linebacker has served as captain on all teams he has played on during his football career.

Keith’s most memorable football moment comes from this past season. In a regular season NSSAFFL game against the Cobequid Education Centre Cougars, the Flames were down by three touchdowns and their centre left the game with a concussion.

Consequent to that, Keith ended up in unfamiliar territory.

“I had to step in as centre having never played that position before,” says the Flames linebacker. “I played the entire second half on every special team o and d and didn’t once feel tired because before the second half started one of my coaches, Mark Hagget told me “the games on your shoulders and everyone is going to follow you to victory.” ”

The greatest influence on Keith’s life is his family. They have been a huge source of support and encouragement.

“My parents drove me to all my sporting events without complaining,” adds the Flames star player. “Particularly my dad, he’s a great father and has been there through it all with me; he’s never once shot me down and he’s always inspired me to be the best I can be.”

“My mother has always pushed me to do better academically.”

As for influences on his football career, Keith says the main one has been his “second father” and Flames head coach, Alan Wetmore.

“We’ve also been through a whole lot together,” comments Keith. “I’ve been training at Al’s gym, the Ultimate Athlete Factory for four years and it’s made me the person and player I am today.”

“He has always driven me harder and harder to be bigger, faster, stronger and smarter.”

Overall, the grade 11 player says that his father and Wetmore believed in him and in his playing abilities. Also, Keith says that his first defensive football coach, Ed Skiffington taught him how to play smash football at a very young age. This helped to brand Keith’s style of play on the field.

Aside from football, Keith plays lacrosse. He is a member of the Northwest Rebels team that plays in the Junior A league. As a member of the provincial Lacrosse team, he has participated in three nationals and has won three gold medals in the B division.

Furthermore, Keith likes lifting weights, hiking, wrestling, and “hanging out with the boys”. His musical preference is country while his meals of choice are his mother’s turkey dinner and donair poutine.

Even though the Flames star linebacker has one more year left of high school, he is already thinking of future plans. Beyond high school, Keith is looking to study psychology, sociology or criminology.

Keith has learned a lot of things from the game of football and has applied those skills into all other aspects of his life.

“Football has taught me most importantly never give up on yourself no matter what anyone tells you cause people are always going to try and put you down,” explains the Flames star player. “Also it’s taught me a lot about team work, discipline and dedication to perfection.”

Additionally, Keith says that the game is the survival of the fittest.

“Football more than any other sport, is a resemblance of life and its struggles: you’re going to get beaten and bruised but it’s the ability to get back up and keep going,” comments Keith. “I believe football has taught me that only the strong survive.”

“It’s taught me how to work and push for what you truly want because when it comes down to it, football is a brotherhood and you will take these skills throughout life.”

Flames head coach Wetmore says Keith will be the right fit for any future team that is looking for a “football player.”

“He lives and breathes it,” comments Wetmore. “Just what you want as a player and captain of your team.”

“His many physical gifts as a proto type Mac Linebacker are overshadowed by
his extreme physical nature, resiliency, hard work and dedication.”

Wetmore has high praise for the Flames star linebacker.

“I can also say without hesitation that he is a great kid, comes from a great family and is a team player,” says the Flames head coach. “He was the deserved defensive player of the year in his grade 11 year and will be a scary force in the league next year.”

“He will be top of the recruiting class in 2013.”

Video of Keith’s Football Highlights:

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