Class 2013: Nick Simpson on the prowl to reach top of football ranks

Today, CFC features class 2013 star defensive back from the Cobequid Education Centre Cougars, Nick Simpson. Nick’s football playing days began in the sixth grade.

Nick Simpson

Positions:
Defensive Back, Free Safety

Height/Weight:
5’7, 145 lbs

Teams:
Cobequid Education Centre Cougars (high school)
Truro Freightliners (bantam)
Truro Blue Bombers (peewee)

Commitment:
None

Consideration:
Saint Mary’s, St. Francis Xavier, Open

Class:
2013

A future star of tomorrow in the football ranks, Nick demonstrated his talent early on with the peewee Truro Blue Bombers. In the first two seasons, he played at the running back position. However, Nick’s third season with the Blue Bombers was his most memorable football experience.

“My third year playing for the Truro Blue Bombers was the funnest season of football I’ve played and the guys and coaching were great as well,” says the grade 11 standout, who also played at the cornerback position and was team offensive MVP that season.

Subsequently, Nick moved over to play with the bantam Truro Freightliners. During his time with the team, the free safety was defensive MVP and also was awarded the 3D award.

The grade 11 player joined his high school team, the Cobequid Education Centre Cougars this past season. Immediately, Nick made a significant impact in the Nova Scotia Student Athletic Federation Football League (NSSAFFL). For his play on the field, the star free safety was named the NSSAFFL’s Top Special Teams Player for the Scotia Division. Additionally, he was named to the NSSAFFL first all-star team in the defensive back position (Scotia Division).

Nick has been fortunate enough to have great coaches that have enabled him to become a better player. Cougars positioning coach Scott Cameron has motivated Nick to play as good as Cameron was at the very same age.

“He always makes sure I give my all during every drill and expects me to perform at my best every game,” comments the grade 11 defensive standout. “He’s the first to praise me when I do my job but he also keeps me in line and will tell me when I do something I shouldn’t or when I start to get lazy and I think that’s the reason I respect him so much.”

Cougars head coach Scott Annand also has been a major influence on the young star’s football career.

“Coach Annand’s love and passion for football excites me; he’s always talking about preforming on another level and how your game can always be improved and I’m always striving to do that,” explains Nick.

However, the driving forces behind Nick’s success are his parents, who have stood by to support him while motivating him to reach for his football dreams.

“My dad pushes me to do my best and wants for me to get better and improve just as much as I do,” adds the Cougars defensive star. “He makes sure I don’t slack on my offseason training.”

“My mom is there for me through the good games and the bad, always offering words of encouragement and advice.”

Before Nick took up football, hockey was his main sport. However, the minute he started playing football, he was hooked and decided to make the full-time commitment to the sport.

“I had a passion for hockey, but the more I played football the more I fell in love with it and I still do every time I step onto the field,” comments Nick, who plans on studying business at university. “This is why I don’t play hockey anymore.”

Overall, the grade eleven player has learned discipline and self-control from football which helps him tackle things away from the field.

Annand says that Nick continues to work on all areas of his game. The Cougars head coach says the standout has shown the results of his hard work and growth as a player.

“Nick is a true leader on and off the field,” explains Annand. “Although under-sized, he is an impact player both from a defensive back position and special team’s returner.”

“We look for big things from Nick in 2012 as a senior.”

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